DC-SIGN (CD209) mediates dengue virus infection of human dendritic cells

J Exp Med. 2003 Apr 7;197(7):823-9. doi: 10.1084/jem.20021840.

Abstract

Dengue virus is a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus that productively infects human dendritic cells (DCs) primarily at the immature stage of their differentiation. We now find that all four serotypes of dengue use DC-SIGN (CD209), a C-type lectin, to infect dendritic cells. THP-1 cells become susceptible to dengue infection after transfection of DC-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), or its homologue L-SIGN, whereas the infection of dendritic cells is blocked by anti-DC-SIGN antibodies and not by antibodies to other molecules on these cells. Viruses produced by dendritic cells are infectious for DC-SIGN- and L-SIGN-bearing THP-1 cells and other permissive cell lines. Therefore, DC-SIGN may be considered as a new target for designing therapies that block dengue infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / virology*
  • Dengue / classification
  • Dengue Virus / classification
  • Dengue Virus / physiology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / immunology
  • Lectins, C-Type / physiology*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
  • Receptors, Virus / physiology
  • Serotyping

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DC-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Virus