Dendritic cells in Listeria monocytogenes infection

Dendritic cells (DCs) represent a unique collection of innate immune cells present throughout the body as distinct subpopulations generally sharing the functions of pathogen recognition, cytokine production, and antigen presentation. A large body of work in recent years has examined DC functions during infection with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), particularly in the murine model. Here, I review several aspects of DC biology in this model, with particular emphasis on the role DCs play in the establishment of a productive Lm infection and the role of DCs as cytokine producers and antigen-presenting cells in this system.