Dendritic cells: Their functions in immunity and disease

Abstract

Dendritic cells were first identified among the skin epithelial cells by Langerhans in 1868.
Its origin is based on CD34+ cells of the bone marrow progenitor cells or CD14+ cells of
the monocytes. It is involved in the formation of primary response and antigen
presentation in the immune system. They are also called the professional antigen
presenting cells (APC) because their main function is to present antigen. Dendritic cells
are generally having the immature intracellular functions in peripheral tissue; in cases
where they encounter pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or tumors, they switch
into the mature dendritic cell form to capture the antigen molecule and create an
immune response. Due to these effects, dendritic cells are used in cancer immunotherapy
applications. In our proceeding review we will further discuss their role in the immunity.