Dendritic cells: The driving force behind autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis?

Dendritic cells (DC) are likely to play a significant role in immune-mediat ed diseases such as autoimmunity and allergy. To date there are few treatme nts capable of inducing permanent remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) an d elucidation of the role of DC may provide specific strategies for disease intervention. Dendritic cells have proven to be powerful tools for immunot herapy and investigations are under way to determine their clinical efficac y in transplantation and viral and tumour immunotherapy. The present review will focus on the current view of DC and their role in autoimmunity, in pa rticular RA. Two possible roles for DC in the pathogenesis of RA will be pr oposed, based on recent advances in the field.