Pre-transplant myeloid dendritic cell deficiency associated with cytomegalovirus infection and death after kidney transplantation.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells critical for immunity. We previously demonstrated a significant association between pre-transplant blood myeloid dendritic cell (mDC) and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) deficiency and post-transplant BK viremia in renal transplant recipients. In the current post-hoc analysis, we studied the association of these same pre-transplant DC levels with other post-transplant outcomes.

Dendritic cell deficiency associated with development of BK viremia and nephropathy in renal transplant recipients.

Background: BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) is a significant cause of renal allograft loss. Although overall intensity of immunosuppression is the greatest risk factor, recipient immune factors likely also play a role in the pathogenesis. Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells important for the induction of anti-viral cytotoxic T-cell responses.

Differential role for low pH and cathepsin-mediated cleavage of the viral spike protein during entry of serotype II feline coronaviruses.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a terminal disease of cats caused by systemic infection with a feline coronavirus (FCoV). FCoV biotypes that cause FIP are designated feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), and are distinguished by their ability to infect macrophages and monocytes. Antigenically similar to their virulent counterparts are FCoV biotypes designated feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), which usually cause only mild enteritis and are unable to efficiently infect macrophages and monocytes.