Complement opsonization promotes HSV-2 infection of human dendritic cells

19 Herpes virus type 2 (HSV2) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globally 20 with a very high prevalence in many countries. During HSV2 infection viral particles become 21 coated with complement proteins and antibodies, both existent in the genital fluids, which could 22 influence the activation of the immune responses. In genital mucosa, the primary target cells for 23 HSV2 infection are epithelial cells, but resident immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) are 24 also infected. The DCs are the activators of the ensuing immune responses directed against 25 HSV2, and the aim of this study was to examine the effects opsonization of HSV2, either with 26 complement alone or with complement and antibodies, had on the infection of immature DCs 27 and their ability to mount inflammatory and antiviral responses.