title: Role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in lung-associated inflammation.
abstract: Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (pDCs) are important immune orchestrators. One of the most important features of pDCs is the high production of IFN type I that can promote the polarization of T cells towards a Th1 phenotype. Recent evidence has highlighted the relevance of pDCs in therapy for asthma, lung infections and cancer. However, it is to note that pDCs can also participate in suppressive networks via the recruitment of T regulatory cells. Further studies are needed to understand pDCs activity in the lung, not only to elucidate pathological mechanisms, but also to lead towards new therapeutic approaches for lung inflammatory-based diseases. The article also outlines recent patents on plasmacytoid DCs.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy. rosalinda.sorrentino@googlemail.com
authors.forename: Rosalinda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorrentino
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morello
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology; D010330:Patents as Topic; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I