Dendritic cell|[ndash]|regulatory T-cell interactions control self-directed immunity

doi:doi:10.1038/sj.icb.7100088

Immunology and Cell Biology (2007) 85, 575–581; doi:10.1038/sj.icb.7100088; published online 26 June 2007

Dendritic cell–regulatory T-cell interactions control self-directed immunity

Christian Lange¹, Michael Dürr¹, Hong Doster¹, Arthur Melms¹ and Felix Bischof¹

¹Department of General Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, Tübingen, Germany

Correspondence: C Lange, Department of General Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, Tübingen, Germany. E-mail: lange_christian1@yahoo.de

Received 29 January 2007; Revised 14 May 2007; Accepted 29 May 2007; Published online 26 June 2007.

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Abstract

In addition to their immunostimulatory capacity, dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms. In the absence of an infection, immature DCs constantly take up, process and present self-antigens to specific T cells, which leads to the induction of T-cell anergy or deletion. In recent years, several additional mechanisms have been identified by which DCs constantly downregulate immune responses to maintain immunological tolerance. Among these are the complex interactions between several DC subtypes and different types of regulatory T cells. In this review, we summarize recent key findings and concepts in this field.