Controlling immune responses by targeting antigens to dendritic cell subsets and B cells

Delivering antigens in vivo by coupling them to mAbs specific for unique receptors on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) is a promising approach for modulating immune responses. Antigen delivery to receptors found on myeloid dendritic cell (DC) subsets, plasmacytoid DCs and B cells has shown them all to be viable targets to stimulate either the cellular or humoral arms of the immune system. It is now evident that antigen-targeting approaches can also be used to invoke antigen-specific inhibition of immune responses. The outcome of activation versus inhibition is determined by a combination of factors that include the choice of APC, the receptor that is targeted, whether to include an adjuvant and, if so, which adjuvant to employ. In addition to their use as a means to modulate immune responses, antigen-targeting systems are also a useful method to investigate the function of DC subsets and the early mechanistic events that underlie the initiation of both cellular and humoral immune responses. In this review, we focus on the literature surrounding the control of B-cell responses when antigen is delivered to various APC subsets.