Conventional (c)DCs in the submucosa expressing the C-type lectin dendritic cell-specific, intercellular adhesion molecule-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) are hypothesized to play a key role in HIV dissemination to CD4+ T cells due to their ability to capture and internalize virions via DC-SIGN and mediate trans-infection of CD4+ T cells, either at the mucosal infection site or following migration into draining lymphoid tissues. The gene discussed is CD4; the disease is infection.