Premium
Dendritic Cells: Features and Functions
Author(s) -
Steinman Ralph M.,
Nussenzweig Michel C.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-065x.1980.tb01042.x
Subject(s) - citation , library science , humanities , philosophy , computer science
Dendritic cells (DC) are irregularly shaped cells that were initially identified in the glass and plastic adherent population of mouse spleen. DC are la*, Ig", thy-1" bone marrow derived elements that show little or no endocytic activity for several tracers. DC occur in low frequency accounting for less than 1 *% of the cells in all organs we have studied. However, methods have been developed for their enrichment. DC in small numbers stimulate allogeneic and syngeneic mixed leukocyte reactions (MLR) and serve as accessory cells for the development of in viiro immune responses. This review will consider several topics: a) the principal features of DC that are useful in their identification, purification, and differentiation from mononuclear phagocytes the other cell type most often considered in studies of accessory cell functions; b) surface markers of DC including expression of la antigens; c) properties of DC in situ; and d) functional capacities of DC in vitro.