Dendritic Cell Biology

Dendritic cells (DCs), originally discovered in 1973 by Ralph M. Steinman and Zanvil A. Cohn and named after their distinct stellate morphology, are important regulators of immune responses. Specialized in antigen acquisition, processing, and presentation, the hallmark of DCs is their ability to induce naïve T cell activation and effector differentiation. DCs also interact with other immune cells, such as B cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells, and secrete immunomodulatory molecules, thereby mediating the induction and maintenance of immunity and tolerance. This chapter describes the current knowledge of DC ontogeny and function as well as the utility of DCs as immunotherapeutic agents in clinical applications.