Interactions between dendritic cells and bacteria in the regulation of intestinal immunity

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) are immunoregulatory antigen-presenting cells. DCs can be potent activators of näve T cells and influence the generation and homing of effector lymphocytes; they can also induce regulatory mechanisms and maintain non-responsiveness. In part, these different outcomes are influenced by exposure of the DC to microbial products. The regulatory role of DCs is of particular importance at mucosal surfaces such as the intestine, where the immune system exists in intimate association with the external antigenic environment. Much of what we know about DCs has come from studies on the cells outside the gastrointestinal tract but information about gut DCs and their contribution to ..