Dendritic cells in old age-neglected by gerontology?

Dendritic cells (DC) are known as the most efficient antigen-presenting cel l type to activate T cells and are key modulators of the immune response. D ue to their central role in immunology, DC have been considered as a useful tool for immunotherapy. They may also compensate failing T cell reactivity in aged persons. Despite numerous recent advances in the molecular and cel l biology of DC, only very few groups have addressed the topic of DC and ag ing. It is the aim of the present contribution to give a short overview on what is known on DC in old age. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.