Identification and Characterization of Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are formed from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. The immature DC cells in the peripheral tissue are round and smooth, while the mature DC cells have a protruding cytoplasm and a unique dendritic appearance, hence the name dendritic cells. Dendritic cell (DC) is a professional antigen-presenting cell in the immune system, which acts as a bridge between innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Immature dendritic cells line the exposed skin, nasal cavity, and lung lining, where they sense and sample self and nonself antigens in the environment. After being stimulated and activated, it matures and migrates to lymph nodes, presents antigens to T cells through major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, and stimulates an adaptive immune response.

Type of DCs

DCs belong to mononuclear phagocytes (MPs), and MPs include macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells. Subpopulations of dendritic cells (DCs) have distinct developmental characteristics and specialize in priming different types of effector T cells, thereby modulating the outcome of immune responses. Initially, dendritic cells were divided into lymphoid and myeloid lineages, but this nomenclature did not accurately reflect the developmental origin of each dendritic cell subset. Dendritic cells can be divided into conventional DCs (cDCs), plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), and langerhans cells (LCs) according to their source and differentiation pathway. cDCs are divided into traditional type I dendritic cells (cDC1) and traditional type II dendritic cells (cDC2).

Identification of Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells are a highly complex and intricate population of cells that exhibit an immense variety of phenotypes and functions. In order to accurately identify and differentiate between the various subsets of dendritic cells, researchers employ several markers that are used to identify dendritic cells both on their cell surface and within the cell itself. These markers are essential for a deeper understanding of dendritic cell biology and their role in immune response.