Dendritic cells but not macrophages are targets for immune regulation by natural killer cells.
Both dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages (M phi) stimulate lymphocyte proliferation in secondary mixed-lymphocyte (ML) reactions, though DC are approximately fourfold more effective. Natural killer (NK) cells suppress secondary ML reactions when DC are used, but NK cells do not suppress when M phi are used in these reactions. The findings are consistent with the idea that DC, but not M phi, are potential targets in immune regulation mediated by NK cells.
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice