The Biology of Dendritic Cells and HIV Infection

Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV infection is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition that damages the immune system by attacking CD4 cells (T-cells), crucial for immune response. Dendritic cells are crucial players in the immune system, responsible for capturing and presenting antigens to T-cells, thus initiating immune responses. In the context of HIV infection, dendritic cells have a dual role. While they help detect and combat pathogens, they also inadvertently facilitate the spread of HIV. This virus exploits dendritic cells to reach CD4+ T-cells, the primary targets of the virus. Upon capturing HIV, dendritic cells transport the virus to lymphoid tissues, where it is presented to T-cells. This process significantly enhances HIV replication and dissemination. Moreover, HIV can directly infect dendritic cells, impairing their function and compromising the immune response. This book brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and elucidates the unexplored aspects of dendritic cells and HIV infection. The various studies that are constantly contributing towards advancing technologies and evolution of this field are examined in detail. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.