Because they are a main source of the antiviral cytokines type I and III interferons, plasmacytoid dendritic cells are considered to be essential for host defense against viral infections. Contrary to this dogma, we show that they are dispensable or even detrimental in mice.
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This is a summary of: Ngo, C. et al. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are dispensable or detrimental in murine systemic or respiratory viral infections. Nat. Immunol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-025-02288-3 (2025).
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Unexpected redundancy or harmfulness of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in viral infections. Nat Immunol 26, 1859–1860 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-025-02322-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-025-02322-4
