Andreas Schlitzer, Naomi McGovern, Florent Ginhoux, Dendritic cells and monocyte-derived cells: Two complementary and integrated functional systems, Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, Volume 41, May 2015, Pages 9-22, ISSN 1084-9521, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.03.011.
Abstract:
Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen sensing and presenting cells that link innate and adaptive
immunity. Within the DC population multiple subpopulations exist, each possessing distinct phenotypic
and functional properties, together forming a complex cellular network capable of integrating multiple
environmental signals and determining immunity or tolerance. Inflammatory monocyte-derived DC are
considered a subtype of DC generated upon inflammation. However, we now know that rather than
being a bona fide DC subtype, these monocyte-derived cells (MC) more likely represent a distinct type
of highly plastic cell that is able to acquire a multitude of functional capabilities, some of which are
shared with DC. In this review, we will first discuss the latest developments in our understanding of the
organization of the DC and MC networks in both mouse and human and of the functional specializations
of their subpopulations. Finally, we will discuss how DC and MC form two complementary and integrated
functional systems.