title: Regulation of the tolerogenic function of steady-state DCs.
abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are master regulators of T-cell responses. After sensing pathogen-derived molecular patterns (PAMPs), or signals of inflammation and cellular stress, DCs differentiate into potent activators of naïve CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells through a process that is termed DC maturation. By contrast, DCs induce and maintain peripheral T-cell tolerance in the steady state, that is in the absence of overt infection or inflammation. However, the immunological steady state is not devoid of DC-activating stimuli, such as commensal microorganisms, subclinical infections, or basal levels of proinflammatory mediators. In the presence of these activating stimuli, DC maturation must be calibrated to ensure self-tolerance yet allow for adequate T-cell responses to infections. Here, we review the factors that are known to control DC maturation in the steady state and discuss their effect on the tolerogenic function of steady-state DCs.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Research Center for Immunology (FZI), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans Christian
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muth
authors.forename: Hansjörg
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schild
mesh_terms: D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
keywords: DC maturation; Dendritic cells; Peripheral T-cell tolerance; Steady-state DCs