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Dendritic cell function in vivo during the steady state: a role in peripheral tolerance
Ralph M Steinman1, Daniel Hawiger, Kang Liu
1The Rockefeller University, Laboratories of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, Molecular Immunology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, and Human Immunology and Immune Therapy, New York, New York 10021-6399, USA. Steinma@mail.rockefeller.edu
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|May 3, 2003
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) prevent autoimmunity by tolerizing self-reactive T cells before infection. Immature DCs capture self-antigens and silence T cells, defining immunologic self and preventing autoimmune diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Autoimmunity arises from a failure to control self-reactive T cells in the periphery.
- Dendritic cells (DCs) mature during infection, presenting both microbial and self-antigens.
- A mechanism is needed for DCs to establish tolerance to self and environmental antigens prior to pathogen encounter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of immature dendritic cells in establishing peripheral tolerance.
- To understand how dendritic cells define immunologic self in both steady state and during infection.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of dendritic cell function in steady-state and during infection.
- In vivo experiments demonstrating T cell silencing by antigen-loaded immature dendritic cells.
Main Results:
- Immature dendritic cells continuously capture self and environmental antigens.
- Antigen-loaded immature dendritic cells induce T cell tolerance through deletion or regulatory T cell expansion.
- This process helps prevent autoimmunity and chronic inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Dendritic cells play a crucial role in maintaining peripheral tolerance.
- Immature dendritic cells actively silence self-reactive T cells, contributing to the definition of immunologic self.
- This mechanism is vital for preventing autoimmune diseases and maintaining immune homeostasis.