To accomplish this function, dendritic cells are equipped with highly efficient mechanisms to detect pathogens, to capture, process and present antigens, and to initiate T-cell responses.

These mechanisms are developmentally regulated during the DC life cycle in a process termed 'maturation', which was originally defined using Langerhans cells, a dendritic cells type of the epidermis.

Langerhans cells exist in the skin in an immature state dedicated to capturing antigens, and in the subcutaneous lymph nodes in a mature state dedicated to presenting those antigens to T cells. The phenotypic changes undergone by Langerhans cells during maturation, and the correlation of these changes with tissue localization, have been generally considered a paradigm for all dendritic cells.

Members

 interdigitating dendritic cells [libérer]
 follicular dendritic cells [libérer]
 dendrocytes (dermal dendrocytes, mucosal dendrocytes)

Features

 dendritic cell trafficking

Pathology (dendritic cell pathology)

 dendritic cells tumors

• dendritic cells sarcoma
• dendritic histiocytoses

References

 Boes M, Cuvillier A, Ploegh H. Membrane specializations and endosome maturation in dendritic cells and B cells. Trends Cell Biol. 2004 Apr;14(4):175-83. PMID: #15066635#

 Kaisho T, Akira S. Regulation of dendritic cell function through toll-like receptors. Curr Mol Med. 2003 Dec;3(8):759-71. PMID: #14682496#

 Bhardwaj N. Processing and presentation of antigens by dendritic cells: implications for vaccines. Trends Mol Med. 2001 Sep;7(9):388-94. PMID: #11530333#

 Rea D, Johnson ME, Havenga MJ, Melief CJ, Offringa R. Strategies for improved antigen delivery into dendritic cells. Trends Mol Med. 2001 Mar;7(3):91-4. PMID: #11286763#