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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
09:51
Development and Functional Characterization of Murine Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells
Published on: May 18, 2018
Function and dysfunction of dendritic cells in autoimmune rheumatic diseases
Sergio Rutella1, Raimondo De Cristofaro, Gianfranco Ferraccioli
1Department of Hematology, Laboratory of Immunology, Catholic University Medical School, and CdC San Raffaele Valletri, Rome, Italy. srutella@rm.unicatt.it
Human Immunology
|May 1, 2009
Summary
Tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) can induce immune tolerance by expanding regulatory T cells (Treg) or promoting T-cell anergy. Therapeutic vaccination with cytokine-modulated DC shows promise for autoimmune disorders.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Autoimmunity
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DC) play a dual role in initiating immunity and promoting immune tolerance.
- Tolerogenic DC mechanisms include regulatory T cell (Treg) expansion and T-cell anergy or deletion.
- Hematopoietic growth factors and cytokines can differentiate tolerogenic DC in vitro and in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental evidence of DC dysfunction in rheumatic autoimmune diseases.
- To discuss the potential of manipulating DC and Treg for controlling T-cell responses in autoimmune conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of current experimental evidence on DC dysfunction in rheumatic autoimmune diseases.
- Discussion of therapeutic vaccination strategies using cytokine-modulated tolerogenic DC in animal models.
Main Results:
- Dendritic cell dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatic autoimmune diseases.
- Therapeutic vaccination with cytokine-modulated tolerogenic DC has been successfully applied in animal models.
Conclusions:
- Manipulation of DC and Treg number and function offers a potential strategy to control aberrant T-cell responses.
- Targeting DC and Treg holds promise for developing novel immunotherapies for autoimmune disorders.
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