6533b81ffe1ef96bd1277243
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Immature, but not inactive: the tolerogenic function of immature dendritic cells.
Alexander EnkKarsten MahnkeLaura BonifazEdgar SchmittHelmut Jonuleitsubject
T cellImmunologyAntigen presentationClonal DeletionAutoimmunityBiologyAutoantigensClonal deletionMiceImmune systemCell MovementT-Lymphocyte SubsetsmedicineImmune ToleranceImmunology and AllergyCytotoxic T cellAnimalsHumansIL-2 receptorAntigen-presenting cellAntigen PresentationImmunity CellularModels ImmunologicalPeripheral toleranceCell BiologyDendritic CellsCell biologymedicine.anatomical_structureOrgan SpecificityImmunologydescription
The induction of antigen-specific T cell tolerance and its maintenance in the periphery is critical for the prevention of autoimmunity. Recent evidence shows that dendritic cells (DC) not only initiate T cell responses, but are also involved in silencing of T cell immune responses. The functional activities of DC are mainly dependent on their state of activation and differentiation, that is, terminally differentiated mature DC can efficiently induce the development of T effector cells, whereas immature DC are involved in maintenance of peripheral tolerance. The means by which immature DC maintain peripheral tolerance are not entirely clear, however, their functions include the induction of anergic T cells, T cells with regulatory properties as well as the generation of T cells that secrete immunomodulatory cytokines. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the immunoregulatory role of immature DC that might act as guardians for the induction and maintenance of T cell tolerance in the periphery.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-09-13 | Immunology and cell biology |