Dendritic vaccination for HIV patients

, a frequent opportunistic infection of immunocompromised hosts.

Written byTudor Toma
| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

Patients with HIV have a compromised immunity and cannot be vaccinated against opportunistic infections because of low CD4+ T lymphocyte levels. But, in November 15 Journal of Clinical Investigation Mingquan Zheng and colleagues from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans show that CD4+ T cell–independent vaccination can be achieved against Pneumocystis carinii (PC), a frequent AIDS related oportunistic infection.

Zheng et al. found that bone marrow–derived dendritic cells expressing the murine CD40 ligand, when pulsed ex vivo by PC antigen, elicited significant titers of anti-PC IgG in CD4-deficient mice. In addition, vaccination with PC-pulsed, CD40L-modified DCs resulted in significant protection to PC pneumonia (J Clin Invest 2001, 108:1469-1474).

"These studies show promise for advances in CD4-independent vaccines against HIV-related pathogens", concluded the authors.

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

Share
Illustration of a developing fetus surrounded by a clear fluid with a subtle yellow tinge, representing amniotic fluid.
January 2026, Issue 1

What Is the Amniotic Fluid Composed of?

The liquid world of fetal development provides a rich source of nutrition and protection tailored to meet the needs of the growing fetus.

View this Issue
Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Unchained Labs
Graphic of three DNA helices in various colors

An Automated DNA-to-Data Framework for Production-Scale Sequencing

illumina
Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Abstract illustration of spheres with multiple layers, representing endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm derived organoids

Organoid Origins and How to Grow Them

Thermo Fisher Logo

Products

nuclera logo

Nuclera eProtein Discovery System installed at leading Universities in Taiwan

Brandtech Logo

BRANDTECH Scientific Introduces the Transferpette® pro Micropipette: A New Twist on Comfort and Control

Biotium Logo

Biotium Launches GlycoLiner™ Cell Surface Glycoprotein Labeling Kits for Rapid and Selective Cell Surface Imaging

Colorful abstract spiral dot pattern on a black background

Thermo Scientific X and S Series General Purpose Centrifuges

Thermo Fisher Logo