Dendritic cells: not just another cell type in the kidney, but a complex immune sentinel network.
Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for inducing and regulating adaptive immunity. These cells also exist in the kidney, where, however, their function had been unknown. A study by Soos et al. now demonstrates that renal DCs form an intricate cellular network that continuously surveys the tubulointerstitium, and reveals a previously unrecognized immune sentinel system of the kidney.
Kurts
C
C
Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany. CKurts@uni-bonn.de
D000818:Animals; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*