Dendritic cells, a type of antigen-presenting cell (APC)

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells that play a pivotal role in initiating and regulating immune responses. Known as the body’s immune sentinels, they capture, process, and present antigens to T-cells, bridging the innate and adaptive immune systems.

These cells are primarily found in peripheral tissues, such as the skin and mucosal surfaces, where they constantly survey for pathogens. Upon encountering a pathogen, DCs mature, migrate to lymph nodes, and activate naïve T-cells, kickstarting the adaptive immune response.

AnyGenes^® provides state-of-the-art qPCR arrays and molecular tools designed to analyze gene expression in dendritic cells. These advanced solutions empower researchers to delve into dendritic cell activation, differentiation, and signaling pathways with unmatched precision and reproducibility.

Discover our advanced qPCR arrays for Dendritic Cells research.

Ontological overview and functional specialization of human DC. (a) DC are often depicted as a single ‘all purpose’ cell in diagrams of T-cell differentiation but each subset is specialized to make specific responses to pathogen or danger signals. Depending on the context, many different responses may be observed and selected principal functions of human plasmacytoid DC (pDC), conventional DC1 (cDC1) and cDC2 are depicted. (b) Ontological basis of DC, monocyte and macrophage classification. Haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) give rise to DC and monocyte-derived cells by distinct routes marked by differences in the relative expression of interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) and IRF4 as shown in schematic bivariate plots beneath. Monocytes are IRF4/8 low but can be induced to differentiate into monocyte-derived DC (mo-DC). Monocyte-derived macrophages are also ontologically distinct from many populations of long-lived resident macrophages derived from early myeloid progenitors (EMP) (graphic from Collin M, et Bigley V. 2018).

Dendritic cells types and functions

DCs can be classified into several subsets, each with distinct functions:

Conventional Dendritic Cells (cDCs): Key players in antigen presentation and T-cell activation. In human peripheral blood, three main subsets of DC can be identified: plasmacytoid DC (pDC), and two types of conventional DC (cDC), i.e., CD1c(BDCA-1)+ cDC (cDC1) and CD141(BDCA-3)+ cDC (cDC2).
Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (pDCs): Specialized in antiviral immunity through rapid production of type I interferons.
Langerhans Cells: Found in the skin and mucosa, essential for local immune surveillance.
Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells: Arise during inflammation and contribute to immune responses.

Dendritic cells and signaling pathways

DCs use complex signaling pathways to regulate their functions, including:

Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) Pathways: Detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activate immune responses.
NF-κB Signaling: Controls inflammatory cytokine production and maturation.
JAK-STAT Pathway: Regulates cytokine signaling and immune cell differentiation.

AnyGenes^® qPCR arrays are specifically designed to study these pathways, providing accurate and reliable results for cutting-edge research.

Immune diseases and therapies

Dysregulation of dendritic cell function is linked to autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, and cancer. Conversely, DCs are being leveraged in therapeutic applications, such as:

Cancer Immunotherapy: Dendritic cell-based vaccines stimulate anti-tumor immune responses.
Autoimmune Disease Research: Investigating the role of DCs in conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Infectious Diseases: Understanding dendritic cell interaction with pathogens like HIV and influenza.

With advanced qPCR tools from AnyGenes^®, researchers can unlock new insights into the biology of DCs, paving the way for innovative treatments and therapies.

Recent research highlights

Dendritic Cells in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Emerging research indicates that DCs may play a significant role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). They contribute to disease progression by presenting α-synuclein to T cells, which can lead to an adaptive immune response against neuronal components.
Homeostatic Maturation: New insights into the maturation processes of DCs suggest that homeostatic conditions can influence their functionality, thereby affecting immune tolerance and responses. This understanding could lead to novel therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating DC activity in various diseases.
Innovative Vaccine Strategies: Researchers are exploring innovative approaches to enhance vaccine efficacy by targeting antigens directly to DCs using engineered antibodies. This strategy aims to improve the activation and maturation of DCs within lymphoid organs, leading to more effective immune responses.

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Scientific data is only as powerful as the analysis behind it.

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What does it allow you to do?

Automated ΔCq calculation
Normalization with selected housekeeping genes
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Publication-ready graphs
Exportable tables for manuscripts and presentations

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Customize your own signaling pathways (SignArrays®) with the factors of your choice!
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Dendritic cells signaling pathway biomarker list

You can check the biomarker list included in this pathway, see below:

Species : Homo sapiens (human)

Human signaling pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Dendritic Cells	DC1H1	Download biomarker list

Species : Mus musculus (mouse)

Mouse signaling pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Dendritic Cells	DC1M1	Download biomarker list

Species : Rattus norvegicus (rat)

Rat signaling pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Dendritic Cells	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

Species : Sus Scrofa (Pig)

Pig signaling pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
Dendritic Cells	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

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Bibliography

1. Cabeza-Cabrerizo M, et al. Dendritic Cells Revisited. Annu Rev Immunol. (2021);39:131-166.

2. Collin M, et Bigley V. Human dendritic cell subsets: an update. Immunology. (2018);154(1):3-20.

3. Kamata M, et Tada Y. Dendritic Cells and Macrophages in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis. Front Immunol. (2022);13:941071..

4. El-Awady AR, et al. Dendritic cells a Critical Link to Alveolar Bone loss and Systemic Disease Risk in Periodontitis: Immunotherapeutic Implications. Periodontol 2000. (2022);89(1):41-50.

5. Liu J, Zhang X, Cao X. Dendritic cells in systemic lupus erythematosus: From pathogenesis to therapeutic applications. J Autoimmun. (2022);132:102856.

6. Marciscano AE, Anandasabapathy N. The Role of Dendritic Cells in Cancer and Anti-Tumor Immunity. Semin Immunol. (2021 );52:101481.

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