Afferent lymph dendritic cells: a model for antigen capture and presentation in vivo

We review the phenotypic and functional properties of sheep afferent lymph dendritic cells. These dendritic cells bear surface immunoglobulin and can acquire antigen/antibody complexes, both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest a role for Fc receptors in the capture of antigen by these cells. Dendritic cells collected after in vivo antigen pulsing are capable of stimulating T cell proliferation in an antigen-specific manner. Afferent dendritic cells express all the known groups of presentational molecules involved in activation of T cells, namely MHC class I and class II, and CD1. These results suggest a role for afferent dendritic cells in the activation of alpha beta and gamma delta T cells.