Dendritic Cell Control of Immune Responses

Dendritic cells (DC) are among the first cells to encounter pathogens/damage in peripheral tissues and, upon activation, DCs migrate to lymph nodes where they activate and educate T cells to initiate the immune response. DCs present pathogen-derived antigen to T cells and drive T cell differentiation into particular effector cells through the expression and secretion of co-stimulatory molecules and cytokines respectively. The study of DC biology has included the identification of multiple DC subsets in tissues and lymphoid organs, the differentiation and plasticity of DC subsets, the functional consequences of DC interaction with pathogen, control of DC migratory properties and the impact of DC on T cell activation and differentiation. In recent years sophisticated systems biology approaches have been developed to deepen our understanding of DC function. These studies have identified differences between DC subsets located in various tissues and critical factors that drive the outcome of the interaction between DC and T cells. DCs are currently being used in in various clinical therapeutic settings, including as vaccines for cancer and autoimmune disease. A clear understanding of DC factors that contribute to specific immune responses is vital to the success of DC based therapies. This research topic will give a comprehensive overview of current issues in DC biology with a particular emphasis on systems biology approaches to studying this question. We seek articles that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. Tissue specific DC subsets and their function
2. Control of DC migration
3. DC antigen uptake, processing and presentation
4. DC/T and NK cell interaction and its consequences
5. DC in cancer
6. DC in autoimmunity
7. Therapeutic uses of DC subsets