Dendritic Cells

As sentinels of the immune system, dendritic cells (DCs) are located in all tissues, especially those at the interface between the external environment and the body, such as lung, intestine, and skin. DCs are divided into plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and conventional DCs (cDCs), cDCs are further split into type 1 (cDC1) and type 2 (cDC2). Functionally, cDCs include two states: immature and mature. Immature DCs are professional in uptaking and processing antigens, and mature DCs are specialist in antigen presentation. It has been observed that immature cDCs can induce immune tolerance, while mature cDCs induce Th2 or Th1 immune responses.

Table 1. Major human DC subsets.

DC subsetsPhenotype Key features
Plasmacytoid DCLineage CD14 CD11cProduce type 1 IFNs in response to viral pathogens;
Express high TLR7 and TLR9
MHC II+
CD123+ BDCA-2 (CD303)+ BDCA-4 (Nrp)+
Myeloid cDC1Lineage CD11c+T cell priming and activation;
IL-12 secretion
MHC II+ CD86+
BDCA-1 (CD1c)+
Myeloid cDC2Lineage CD11c+Cross-presentation of exogenous Ags to CD8 T cells;
Express high TLR3 and TLR8
MHC II+ CD86+
BDCA-3 (CD141)+ CLEC9A+ XCR1+

DC Linking Innate and Adaptive Immunity

DCs play a vital role in the immune system and effectively link innate and adaptive immune responses. DCs are derived from progenitor cells in the bone marrow and reside in peripheral tissues in an immature state. Immature DCs (iDCs) have been shown to induce peripheral tolerance by causing T cell anergy, directing T cell deletion or by inducing the generation of regulatory T cells (Treg). Under appropriate stimulation mediated by inflammation and pathogen, iDCs undergo maturation. Mature DCs express costimulatory molecules, secrete cytokines, and migrate to lymphoid organs where they activate antigen-specific T cells.

DC Immunotherapy

Exploiting the immunomodulatory capabilities of DCs holds broad prospects in treating cancer, autoimmune diseases, and preventing transplant rejection. DCs can be the most effective adjuvant to enhance the host's immune defenses. In the case of cancer, tumors have been shown to inhibit DCs by secreting anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10, thereby regulating local DCs to form inhibitory T cells. To subvert these mechanisms, DCs can be generated ex vivo and loaded with tumor antigens, and then re-injected to enhance the host's immunity to tumor cells. DC vaccines generated in this way are generally safe with minimal side effects, and have proven to be feasible and effective for certain patients.


Description: Canine Bone Marrow Dendritic Cells are derived from the Beagle tibias and femurs.

Cat#: CSC-C4840L INQUIRY

Description: Creative Bioarray's Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells provide an ideal culture model for the ...

Cat#: CSC-C4086X INQUIRY

Description: NPB-Monocyte Derived Myeloid Dendritic Cells (MoDC) are derived from highly purified monocytes. For ...

Cat#: CSC-C4429X INQUIRY

Description: NPB-BDCA4+ Lymphoid/Plasmacytoid Dendritic cells have been positively isolated from mononuclear ...

Cat#: CSC-C4437X INQUIRY

Description: Myeloid Dendritic Cells are Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs) that process foreign antigens and ...

Cat#: CSC-C9406W INQUIRY

Description: Porcine Bone Marrow Dendritic Cells are derived from the porcine tibias and femurs. Cells are grown ...

Cat#: CSC-C4920L INQUIRY

Description: Monkey bone marrow dendritic cells are derived from the tibia and femur of Cynomolgus Monkey. Cells ...

Cat#: CSC-C4966J INQUIRY

Description: B129 mouse bone marrow dendritic cells are derived from the tibias and femurs of pathogen-free ...

Cat#: CSC-C4969J INQUIRY

Description: BALB/c mouse bone marrow dendritic cells are derived from the tibias and femurs of pathogen-free ...

Cat#: CSC-C4970J INQUIRY

Description: C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow dendritic cells are derived from the tibias and femurs of pathogen-free ...

Cat#: CSC-C4971J INQUIRY

Description: CD1 mouse bone marrow dendritic cells are derived from the tibias and femurs of pathogen-free ...

Cat#: CSC-C4972J INQUIRY

Description: Rat bone marrow dendritic cells are derived from the tibias and femurs of 6 weeks old ...

Cat#: CSC-C4973J INQUIRY