Plasmacytoid dendritic cells: one-trick ponies or workhorses of the immune system?

Nat Rev Immunol. 2011 Jul 22;11(8):558-65. doi: 10.1038/nri3027.

Abstract

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) were first described as interferon-producing cells and, for many years, their overlapping characteristics with both lymphocytes and classical dendritic cells (cDCs) created confusion over their exact ontogeny. In this Viewpoint article, Nature Reviews Immunology asks five leaders in the field to discuss their thoughts on the development and functions of pDCs--do these cells serve mainly as a major source of type I interferons or do they also make other important contributions to immune responses?

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Interferon Type I / metabolism
  • Leukemia / immunology
  • Leukemia / therapy
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / metabolism
  • Virus Diseases / immunology
  • Virus Diseases / therapy

Substances

  • Interferon Type I
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9