Dendritic cells as arbiters of peritoneal immune responses.
During the past few years, there has been a substantial increase in the understanding of innate immunity. Dendritic cells are emerging as key players in the orchestration of this early phase of immune responses, with a role that will translate into the subsequent type of adaptive immune response against infection. Here we provide an overview of dendritic cell differentiation and function, with particular emphasis on those features unique to the immune defense of the peritoneal cavity and in the context of peritoneal dialysis-associated immune responses. The reader is referred to the primary references included in the accompanying list for specific details in this fascinating field.
The FOCIS Centre for Clinical Immunology and Immunotherapeutics, Robarts Research Institute, Department of Microbiology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Michelle L
ML
McCully
Joaquín
J
Madrenas
D000818:Animals; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology