Dendritic Cells, Tolerance Induction and Transplant Outcome

Dendritic cells (DC) have been viewed traditionally as ‘foes’ that instigate the rejection process. More recently, they have gained considerable attention as antigen (Ag)‐presenting cells (APC) that are also capable of induction/maintenance of immunologic tolerance (1–3). This contemporary view of DC, reflects new insights into how these cells regulate T cell responses. Herein we review accumulating evidence that manipulation of DC can suppress Ag‐specific immune responses and build a case that this may provide a novel approach to therapy of allograft rejection.