Phenotype and function of neonatal DC.
Newborns face complex physical and immunological changes before and after birth. Although the uterus is a sterile environment for the fetus, it also contains non-self material from the mother. Birth involves the transition from the sterile intra-uterine environment to an environment rich in microbes and requires rapid induction of appropriate responses to control these microbes. In this review we focus on the similarities and differences of human and murine neonatal DC and their reaction to various stimuli. A better understanding of the newborn immune system--in particular, the DC-T-cell interaction--will be beneficial for the development of improved strategies to prevent or treat infections in this vulnerable population and prepare the immune system to cope with allergens and tumors later in life.
Willems
Fabienne
F
Institute for Medical Immunology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Charleroi, Belgium.
Vollstedt
Sabine
S
Suter
Mark
M
D000818:Animals; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology
D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; C084881:flt3 ligand protein