Present and future of dendritic cells

Authors

  • Daniel Benítez-Ribas CIBERehd, Department of Experimental Gastroenterology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
  • Francesc E. Borràs Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona
  • María Montoya Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA; Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Barcelona

Keywords:

dendritic cells, antigen-presenting cells.

Abstract

The immune system is probably one of the most complex cellular organisations in the body. Its complexity is not superfluous; rather, it is necessary to fulfil the complicated purpose of the immune system, namely: recognition of the diverse repertoire of microorganisms and pathogens; the detection of neoplastic lesions originating from a range of tissues; and, while executing these tasks, the maintenance of peripheral tolerance by suppressing detrimental responses against healthy tissues. Since they were discovered by R. Steinman and co. nearly forty years ago, dendritic cells (DCs) have emerged to be critical players in conducting the immune response to fulfil these roles. Here, we provide a general overview of DCs, what we currently know, their possible therapeutic applications and the questions that remain unanswered for future research.

Key words: dendritic cells, antigen-presenting cells.

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