Co-stimulation by dendritic cells maintains the peripheral pool of Tregs.
Many aspects of an immune response are regulated by dendritic cells (DCs). DCs play key proinflammatory roles by sensing microbial invaders and promoting the activation of innate immune cells such as NK cells. In addition, DCs are required for the initiation and maintenance of adaptive T-cell responses against invading pathogens. Moreover, DCs also fulfill important anti-inflammatory functions: they induce peripheral T-cell tolerance by silencing self-reactive T cells and supporting the homeostasis of regulatory T cells (Tregs). A study in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology reveals that CD80/CD86 expression on DCs contributes to the maintenance of the peripheral pool of Tregs. This Commentary discusses current findings on this topic, focusing on the role of DCs in the homeostatic control of Tregs and myeloid cells, and the potential consequences for T-cell activation.
Division of Molecular Immunology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany. n.garcia@dkfz.de
Natalio
N
Garbi
Günter J
GJ
Hämmerling
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D018106:CD28 Antigens; C497965:Cd86 protein, mouse; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; C508018:Il2ra protein, mouse; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit