title: Identification and characterization of polyclonal αβ-T cells with dendritic cell properties.
abstract: An efficient immune response requires coordination between innate and adaptive immunity, which act through cells different in origin and function. Here we report the identification of thymus-derived αβ-T-cell receptor+ cells that express CD11c and major histocompatibility complex class II, and require FLT3 ligand for development (T(DC)). T(DC) express genes heretofore found uniquely in T cells or dendritic cells, as well as a distinctive signature of cytotoxicity-related genes. Unlike other innate T-cell subsets, T(DC) have a polyclonal T-cell receptor repertoire and respond to cognate antigens. However, they differ from conventional T cells in that they do not require help from antigen-presenting cells, respond to Toll-like receptor-mediated stimulation by producing interleukin-12 and process and present antigen. The physiological relevance of T(DC), found in mice and humans, is still under investigation, but the fact that they combine key features of T and dendritic cells suggests that they provide a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Mirela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuka
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Munitic
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ashwell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D059805:HLA-DR alpha-Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008819:Mice, Nude; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D039521:CD11c Antigen; D059805:HLA-DR alpha-Chains; D018664:Interleukin-12