Our data showed that early stage cDCs in the liver exhibit an immature or tolerant state characterized by low expression of the costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD80, indicating that early infection with E. multilocularis is a strong inducer of DC tolerance, which likely accounts for the generation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment during the infection phase in the liver, promoting successful liver colonization. The gene discussed is CD40; the disease is infection.