J. Cancer Mol. 2: 217-220, 2006

[Review Article]

Current Progress in Dendritic Cell Research

Ko-Jiunn Liu and Ching-Liang Chu

Institute of Cancer Research [K.-J. Liu] and Vaccine Research and Development Center [C.-L. Chu], National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan

Abstract: 

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important antigen-presenting cells in the body.  DCs are critical in the initiation of innate immune responses and the regulation of adaptive immune responses.  Recent studies have indicated that the origins and subsets of DCs are extremely complicated.  DCs actively participate in the induction of both immunity and tolerance.  Functions of DCs are influenced by the activation status and surrounding environments.  This review highlights some important progress reported in a recent DC conference.  Topics in this review include immunophysiology of DCs, the role of DCs in innate, adaptive and infection immunity, and the role of DCs in immunopathology and therapeutics.

Received 11/23/06; Revised 12/11/06; Accepted 12/12/06.

¹Correspondence: Dr. Ching-Liang Chu, Vaccine Research and Development Center, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC. Fax: 886-37-583 009. E-mail: clchu@nhri.org.tw

²Abbreviations: DC, dendritic cell; Ag, antigen; intDC, interstitial DC; LC, Langerhans cell; IL, interleukin; Ig, immunoglobulin; Th, helper T cell; cDC, conventional DC; pDC, plasmacytoid DC; TLR, toll-like receptor; IMQ, imiquimod; mDC, myeloid DC; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; Treg, regulatory T cell; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; MHC II, MHC class II; Ab, antibody; IFN, interferon; IPC, interferon-producing cell; MoAb, monoclonal Ab; TNT, tunneling nanotubule; EC, epithelial cell; TSLP, thymic stromal lymphopoietin; NK, natural killer; NKT, natural killer T cell; PI3K, phosphoinositol 3-kinase; NFAT, nuclear factor of activated T cells; NOX2, NADPH oxidase 2; V-ATPase, vacuolar ATPase; MAGE, melanoma antigen-encoding gene; HPV, human papilloma virus; VLP, virus-like particle.