Frontiers in Immunology (Aug 2012)

Stromal cell induction of regulatory dendritic cells

  • Benjamin M.J. Owens,
  • Paul M. Kaye

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2012.00262
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3

Abstract

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Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen presenting cells of bone marrow origin that can exist in tissues in either an immature or mature state. DCs have a myriad of roles in immunity and tolerance induction, but are perhaps best known for their role in the activation and differentiation of naïve T cells at the onset of an acquired immune response. Over the past decade, a body of literature has developed that suggests that DCs, as well as many other myeloid cell populations, are also capable of exerting ‘regulatory’ effects on T cell responses. However, relatively little is known regarding the mechanisms by which such regulatory myeloid cells arise in vivo. In this mini-review, we first define the characteristics of ‘regulatory’ DCs (rDCs) and then focus on the contribution of non-hematopoietic stromal cells to their generation within specific tissue microenvironments. We also highlight areas of research that warrant future attention, arguing for a focusing of efforts towards a better understanding of the features of stromal cell populations that enable the induction of rDCs. Finally, we discuss how an understanding of stromal cell-myeloid cell interactions may lead to new therapeutic strategies for cancer, autoimmunity and infectious disease.

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