Adenoviral antigen-presenting infected host cell

"Adenoviral antigen-presenting infected host cell" refers to a host antigen-presenting cell (APC)—most commonly a dendritic cell or macrophage—that has been infected with adenovirus (either during natural infection or via adenoviral vector administration for vaccine/gene therapy purposes). Such cells process viral proteins and present adenoviral-derived peptide antigens via major histocompatibility complex molecules to T cells, igniting both cytotoxic and helper T cell immune responses. This process is fundamental to both natural defense against adenoviral infection and the mode-of-action for adenoviral vector-based vaccines and immunotherapies. However, the term does not describe a discrete protein, receptor, or standard therapeutic target.

Other names

Adenovirus-infected antigen-presenting cellAdenovirus-transduced dendritic cellAdenoviral antigen-presenting cellInfected antigen-presenting cell (APC)

Antigen presentation: These infected cells process and present adenoviral (or transgene) antigens via MHC class I and II, stimulating cytotoxic and helper T cell responses. Immunologic activation: Used in therapeutic vaccines to activate specific T cell populations. Induction of T cell tolerance (in some settings, especially chronic infection)