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Pattern recognition receptor expression and maturation profile of dendritic cell subtypes in human tonsils and lymph
David Askmyr1, Milad Abolhalaj2, David Gomez Jimenez2
1Department of ORL, Head & Neck Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Human tonsils and lymph nodes contain similar dendritic cell (DC) subtypes crucial for cancer immunotherapy. These sites show potential for vaccine delivery to enhance antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are vital for initiating antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, making them key targets for cancer immunotherapy.
- Understanding the frequencies and phenotypes of DC subsets in lymphoid tissues is crucial for developing effective vaccine strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize dendritic cell (DC) subtypes and their phenotypic features in human tonsils and lymph nodes.
- To assess the maturity and surface receptor expression of DC subsets for potential targeting in immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to identify and quantify plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and myeloid DCs (mDCs) in human tonsils and lymph nodes.
- Maturity markers (CD80/CD86) and surface receptors, including pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and chemokine receptor XCR1, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Similar frequencies of DC subsets (pDCs, CD1c+ mDCs, CD141+ mDCs, CD1c-CD141- mDCs) were found in tonsils and lymph nodes.
- All DC subtypes exhibited low maturation status, but displayed distinct expression profiles for PRRs and XCR1.
- CD123+ pDCs were dominant, while CD141+ mDCs were the least frequent subsets.
Conclusions:
- Tonsils and lymph nodes share comparable DC subset frequencies, maturation levels, and receptor expression patterns.
- These findings suggest that both tonsils and lymph nodes are suitable sites for vaccine deposition in DC-mediated immunotherapy.
Abstract:
Dendritic cells (DCs) with capacity of antigen cross-presentation are of key interest for immunotherapy against cancer as they can induce antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. This study describes frequencies of DC subtypes in human tonsils and lymph nodes, and phenotypic aspects that may be targeted by adjuvant measures. From human tonsils and neck lymph nodes, DCs were identified through flow cytometry, and subsets of plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and myeloid DCs (mDCs) were investigated. Maturity status was assessed and surface receptors with CTL-promoting potentials were studied. CD123+ pDCs as well as CD1c+, CD141+, and CD1c-CD141- mDCs were detected in tonsils and lymph nodes. Both sites featured a similar presence of DC subsets, with CD123+ pDC being dominant and CD141+ mDCs least frequent. Based on CD80/CD86 expression, all DC subtypes featured a low degree of maturation. Expression of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) CD206, CD207, DC-SIGN, TLR2, and TLR4, as well as the chemokine receptor XCR1, indicated DC subset-specific receptor profiles. We conclude that tonsils and lymph nodes share common features in terms of DC subset frequency and maturation as well as PRR and XCR1 expression pattern. Our work suggests that both sites may be considered for vaccine deposition in DC-mediated immunotherapy.
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