title: Dendritic cells: indispensable?
abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) control the initiation and differentiation of T cells. In the steady state, DCs mediate tolerance. To achieve immunization, the tolerogenic function of DCs must be switched off by inducing their maturation with appropriate "adjuvants." Dendritic cells form a system composed of distinct subsets that differ in their expression of endocytic and signaling receptors. These subsets have different capacities to differentiate and polarize T cells and to cross-present antigen to expand CD8+ T cells. Optimization of vaccines is possible by exploiting the unique biological properties of DCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany. gerold.schuler@uk-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Gerold
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schuler
mesh_terms: D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines