Plasmacytoid monocytes/T cells: a dendritic cell lineage?
Plasmacytoid monocytes/T cells were first described in 1958, yet their origin and function have remained enigmatic. Recently a series of publications brought these cells to the forefront of immunological research. Indeed, plasmacytoid monocytes/T-cells contain natural type-I interferon producing cells and can differentiate in vitro into dendritic cells (DC). It has been proposed that plasmacytoid monocytes/T-cells represent a distinct lineage of cells whose fate it is to differentiate into dendritic cells. Herein we will review recent advances in our understanding of plasmacytoid monocytes/T cells and highlight arguments in favor or against this lineage hypothesis. We propose that plasmacytoid monocytes/T cells represent a composite group of both myeloid and lymphoid early-committed cells that are characterized by their ability to differentiate in vitro into DC.
Galibert
L
L
Discovery Research, Immunex Corporation, 51 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101-2936, USA. galibertl@immunex.com
Maliszewski
C R
CR
Vandenabeele
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*