Dendritic Cells (DCs)

Dendritic Cells (DCs) are discovered in 1973 by the Nobel Prize laureate Ralph Steinman. They are present in skin (Langerhans cells), nose, lungs, stomach, intestines.
Hesse et al., 2013

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional APCs that effectively prime naïve T cells and differentiate into various functional subsets. In the mucosal tissues, Dendritic Cells (DCs) are predominantly activated and migratory due to the large variety of foreign Ags and inflammatory cues
Ngoi et al. 2022 J Immunol 209 (6): 1200-1211

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that sample both exogenous and endogenous cues to control adaptive immunity. They play a crucial role in balancing the effector and regulatory components of the immune response.
Barroso et al. 2021 Current Opinion Immunology 70: 33-39

Dendritic cells (DCs) have evolved into a variety of cell types that are distinct in their phenotype, anatomy, and function . Among these, the Conventional (or classical) Dendritic Cell 1 (cDC1) are particularly specialized in facilitating the differentiation of cytotoxic CD8+ Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs) .
Zhang et al. 2021x Trends in Immunology 42(12): 1113

Dendritic cells (DC) initiate immune responses against pathogens while ensuring immune tolerance against self-antigens. They encompass two distinct lineages: Conventional (or classical) dendritic cells (cDCs) and Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (pDCs).
Cabeza-Cabrerizo et al. 2021 Annu. Rev. Immunol. 39: 131-166

Interactions between dendritic cells and T cells initiate a tolerogenic or immunogenic pathway
Xu et al., 2016

Dendritic cells (DC) express Fc receptors for binding and internalizing antibody-antigen immune complexes.
Vanneman & Dranoff 2012

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key antigen presenting cells that have the unique ability to present antigens on MHC molecules, which can lead to either priming or suppression of T cell mediated immune responses.
Joshi et al. 2011

In response to danger signals and cellular stress, DCs are stimulated to mature, migrate, and carry tumor antigens to lymph nodes to alert the adaptive arm of immunity to the presence of transformed cells
Vesely et al. 2011

Dendritic cells (DCs) sense the environment and are specialized to respond to danger signals. They are activated by this, participating in both inflammation and stimulating T cells
Kapsenberg 2003 Nat Rev Immunol. 3(12): 984-993
Amati et al. 2006 Curr Pharm Des. 12(32): 4247-4254
Joffre et al. 2009 Immunol Rev. 227(1): 234-247

Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial in the defence against pathogens. Invading pathogens are recognized by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and receptors such as C-type lectins expressed on the surface of DCs.
van Kooyk & Geijtenbeek, 2003

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) and Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulate production of Dendritic Cells (DCs) from Bone marrow (BM) precursors

Mature DCs exhibit reduced phagocytic activity and increased expression of MHC and costimulatory molecules
Dauer et al., 2003

Dendritic cells (DCs) are bone marrow-derived APCs (antigen presenting cells) that display unique properties aimed at stimulating naive T cells.
de Smedt et al., 2002

Dendritic cells (DCs) collect and process antigen for presentation to T cells, but there are many variations on this basic theme. DCs differ in the regulatory signals they transmit, directing T cells to different types of immune response or to tolerance.
Shortman & Liu 2002

Human DCs express several types of Fc Receptor (FCR), including CD64 (FcγRI) and CD32 (FcγRIIA / FcγRIIB)
Regnault et al., 1999
Zhou et al. 2002

Dendritic Cells (DCs) also dictate the development of T cell–mediated immune responses into either Type 1 immune response or Type 2 immune response
Kalinski et al. 1999 Immunol. Today 20: 561-567
Liu et al. 2000 Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol. 251: 149-159
Moser & Murphy 2000 Nat. Immunol. 1:199-205

An evolutionary theory suggests that two Dendritic Cells (DCs) lineages or subsets can induce CD4+ Th1 cell responses or CD4+ Th2 Cell Responses, respectively, under certain circumstances.
Liu et al. 2000 Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol. 251: 149-159
Moser & Murphy 2000 Nat. Immunol. 1:199-205

Dendritic cells (DCs) prime naive T cells and to initiate primary T cell–mediated immune responses. One DC is necessary to turn on 100- 3000 T cells
Banchereau & Steinman, 1998

Colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) and Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) have no known effects on DCs. DCs lack mannose-fucose receptor. Dendritic cells can express the B cell-activation marker CD40 (Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 5)
Steinman 1991

DC stimulate primary human CTL in absence of CD4 T cells. They can elicit both antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and nonspecific natural killer (NK) cells. The NK cell response can be depleted at the precursor level by panning with an anti-CD11b mAb. This process removes a CD11b+/CD28-, CD16+ subset from the starting CD4- responders.
Young & Steinman 1990

Summary

Dendritic Cells (DCs), discovered by Ralph Steinman in 1973, are crucial antigen-presenting cells (APCs) found in various tissues such as skin, lungs, and intestines. They play a vital role in the immune system by priming naïve T cells and balancing effector and regulatory components of the immune response.

• Functions and Characteristics

  
  
  • DCs are professional APCs that sample antigens to control adaptive immunity.
  
  
  • They initiate immune responses against pathogens while maintaining immune tolerance.
  
  
  • DCs can differentiate into two lineages: Conventional (cDCs) and Plasmacytoid (pDCs).
  
  
  • They express Fc receptors for binding antibody-antigen complexes and present antigens on MHC molecules.
  
  
  
  



• Activation and Response

  
  
  • DCs are activated by danger signals and cellular stress, leading to maturation and migration to lymph nodes.
  
  
  • They stimulate T cells and can direct immune responses towards either Type 1 or Type 2 pathways.
  
  
  • DCs can elicit both antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and nonspecific natural killer (NK) cells.
  
  
  
  



• Development and Regulation

  
  
  • Interleukin-3 (IL-3) and Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulate DC production from bone marrow precursors.
  
  
  • Mature DCs exhibit reduced phagocytic activity but increased expression of MHC and costimulatory molecules.
  
  
  
  

Overall, dendritic cells are pivotal in initiating and regulating immune responses, making them essential for both pathogen defense and immune system balance.

see also:
Activation / Activators & Dendritic Cells (DCs)
Cancer Immunotherapy / Immuno-Oncology & Dendritic Cells (DCs)
Defending & Pathogens / Pathobionts / Pathogenic Bacteria