Dendritic Cells and Their Crucial Role in Modulating Innate Lymphoid Cells for Treating and Preventing Infectious...

Two key players in the immune system, dendritic cells (DCs) and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), interact in a crucial way to fight infectious diseases. DCs play a key role in recognizing pathogens, and ILCs respond to cytokines released by DCs. This response triggers the production of specific effector cytokines that help control pathogens and maintain the body's barrier integrity. DCs have various receptors, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), that detect microbial components and trigger immune responses. Likewise, ILCs act as essential initial responders in the immune system in viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. Successfully managing diseases caused by pathogens mainly depends on the combined actions of DCs and ILCs, which work to suppress and eliminate pathogens. DCs also play a crucial role in activating innate and adaptive immune cell subsets, including ILCs. Furthermore, the use of DCs in developing vaccines and immunotherapy for cancers, along with the dedication of many researchers to improve immune responses through DCs, has increased interest in the potential of DC therapies for treating and preventing infectious diseases. This review examines approaches that may enhance DC vaccines and boost anti-infection immune responses by fostering better interactions of DCs with ILCs.