Viruses, dendritic cells and the lung

The interaction between viruses and dendritic cells (DCs) is varied and com plex. DCs are key elements in the development of a host response to pathoge ns such as viruses, but viruses have developed survival tactics to either e vade or diminish the immune system that functions to kill and eliminate the se micro-organisms. In the present review we summarize current concepts reg arding the function of DCs in the immune system, our understanding of how v iruses alter DC function to attenuate both the virus-specific and global im mune response, and how we may be able to exploit DC function to prevent or treat viral infections.