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Related Experiment Videos

Dendritic cells in a mature age.

Caetano Reis e Sousa1

  • 1Immunobiology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK. caetano@cancer.org.uk

Nature Reviews. Immunology
|May 13, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Dendritic cells (DCs) are often viewed as either immature (tolerogenic) or mature (immunogenic). However, the term "mature" has dual meanings, prompting a re-evaluation of DC terminology for clarity.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial immune regulators.
  • Traditionally, DCs are classified as immature (inducing tolerance) or mature (inducing immunity).
  • The term 'mature' is ambiguously used to describe both functional state and phenotypic markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically examine the dual usage of the term 'mature' in the context of dendritic cell function.
  • To discuss the historical development of the dendritic cell maturation model.
  • To propose an evolution of terminology for better scientific accuracy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and conceptual analysis.
  • Discussion of existing models of dendritic cell maturation.
  • Analysis of phenotypic markers versus functional states of DCs.

Main Results:

  • The term 'mature' encompasses both immunogenic function and high expression of specific cell surface molecules.
  • DCs can exhibit mature phenotypes without necessarily being immunogenic.
  • This dual meaning can lead to confusion in interpreting DC roles.

Conclusions:

  • The interchangeable use of 'mature' for DCs requires re-evaluation.
  • Evolving terminology is necessary to distinguish between DC phenotype and function.
  • Clearer language will improve understanding of DC-mediated immune responses.

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