The CC chemokine ligand 3 regulates CD11c+CD11b+CD8α- dendritic cell maturation and activation following viral infection of the central nervous system:: implications for a role in T cell activation

The role of CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) in activation of dendritic cells (DCs) following mouse hepatitis vir-us (MHV) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) was examined. The results indicate that CCL3 participates in an effective host response to MHV infection by contributing to CD11c(+)CD11b(+)CD8alpha(-) DC maturation, activation, and migration to cervical lymph nodes (CLN). Diminished CD8alpha(-) DC activation correlated with reduced IFN-gamma expression by virus-specific T cells accompanied by increased IL-10 production suggesting that CCL3 contributes to an effective host response to viral infection by enhancing the T cell activation potential of DC. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.