Mucosal dendritic cells shape mucosal immunity

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key modulators that shape the immune system. In mucosal tissues, DCs act as surveillance systems to sense infection and also function as professional antigen-presenting cells that stimulate the differentiation of naive T and B cells. On the basis of their molecular expression, DCs can be divided into several subsets with unique functions. In this review, we focus on intestinal DC subsets and their function in bridging the innate signaling and adaptive immune systems to maintain the homeostasis of the intestinal immune environment. We also review the current strategies for manipulating mucosal DCs for the development of efficient mucosal vaccines to protect against infectious diseases. Vaccines that manipulate dendritic cells in the intestinal mucosa could help people prevent and control intestinal pathogens. In a review article, Sun-Young Chang and colleagues from Ajou University, South Korea, describe how the immune system functions at the intestinal surface. The researchers explain how dendritic cells (DCs), which function to process foreign substances from the environment and present such antigens to other parts of the immune system, can be divided into several groups with unique functions. The DCs that reside in the intestines promote the differentiation of various types of T cells. Intestinal DCs also secrete IgA antibodies that are critical for mucosal immunity. The researchers suggest that this knowledge should be used to develop vaccine strategies that selectively target this population of specialized immune cells.