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. 2017 Aug 31;32(6):495–502. doi: 10.1007/s12250-017-4034-3

DC-SIGN promotes Japanese encephalitis virus transmission from dendritic cells to T cells via virological synapses

Ping Wang 1,2, Mei Li 1,2, Wei Lu 4, Di Zhang 1,2, Qinxue Hu 1,3, Yalan Liu 1,✉
PMCID: PMC6598883  PMID: 28865053

Abstract

Skin-resident dendritic cells (DCs) likely encounter incoming viruses in the first place, and their migration to lymph nodes following virus capture may promote viral replication. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes remain unclear. In the present study, we found that compared to cell-free viruses, DC-bound viruses showed enhanced capture of JEV by T cells. Additionally, JEV infection was increased by co-culturing DCs and T cells. Blocking the C-type lectin receptor DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) with neutralizing antibodies or antagonists blocked JEV transmission to T cells. Live-cell imaging revealed that DCs captured and transferred JEV viral particles to T cells via virological synapses formed at DC-T cell junctions. These findings indicate that DC-SIGN plays an important role in JEV transmission from DCs to T cells and provide insight into how JEV exploits the migratory and antigen-presenting capabilities of DCs to gain access to lymph nodes for dissemination and persistence in the host.

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Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available for this article at 10.1007/s12250-017-4034-3 and is accessible for authorized users.

Keywords: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), DC-SIGN, T lymphocytes, in trans

Electronic supplementary material

12250_2017_4034_MOESM1_ESM.pdf (2.2MB, pdf)

DC-SIGN promotes Japanese encephalitis virus transmission from dendritic cells to T cells via virological synapses

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFC1200400), the National Natural Science Foundation of China Grants (81572009 and 31570165) and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (2014AA021406). We thank the Core Facility and Technical Support at Wuhan Institute of Virology for technique supports of Confocal Microscopy (Dr. Ding Gao) and Flow Cytometry (Ms. Juan Min).

Contributor Information

Qinxue Hu, Email: qhu@wh.iov.cn.

Yalan Liu, Email: liuyl@wh.iov.cn.

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Supplementary Materials

12250_2017_4034_MOESM1_ESM.pdf (2.2MB, pdf)

DC-SIGN promotes Japanese encephalitis virus transmission from dendritic cells to T cells via virological synapses

Articles from Virologica Sinica are provided here courtesy of Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

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