Leishmania donovani Attenuates Dendritic Cell Trafficking to Lymph Nodes by Inhibiting C-Type Lectin Receptor 2 Expression via Transforming Growth Factor-β.

To initiate an antileishmanial adaptive immune response, dendritic cells (DCs) must carry antigens from peripheral tissues to local draining lymph nodes. However, the migratory capacity of DCs is largely compromised during Leishmania donovani infection. The molecular mechanism underlying this defective DC migration is not yet fully understood.