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Research

Our group have strong expertise in studying virus-host cell interactions and have identified the C-type lectins DC-SIGN and its homologue L-SIGN as receptors for a broad range of enveloped viruses other than HIV and including cytomegalovirus (CMV), dengue virus (DV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Our functional studies have indicated that DC-SIGN and L-SIGN are not authentic entry receptors directly responsible for targeting viral particles to acidified endosomes. Both lectins act as a critical attachment factors that increase the local virus concentration at the cell surface, allowing enhanced infection of target cells or transmission of viral infectivity in trans. INSERM website.