THE ANTIGEN-PRESENTING FUNCTION OF DENDRI TIC CELLS

Dendritic cells (DC) are bone-marrow derived cells which arefound in m any lymphoid or nonlymphoid tissues. DC are characterized by a strong membran expression of major histocompatibility class II antigens and t hey play a key role in the initiation of primary immune responses. Thi s function is partly related to the capacity of DC to process exogeneo us antigens and to keep them in an immunogenic form while they migrate to peripheral lymphoid organs. The best characterized DC are skin DC, or Langerhans cells, which act as real sentinels of the immune system . The function of these cells can be modulated by exogenous cytokines which provide new insights in the development of vaccine, as well as t ransplantation strategies.