THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF DENDRITIC CELLS

<p>Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen presenting cells which trace origin from bone marrow cells. These cells are discovered and described by Steinman i Cohn (1973) in peripheral lymphoid organs of mice. The cellular membrane of DCs are place of expression of plenty immunoregulatory molecules such as MHC class I and II, co stimulatory, and adhesion molecules, as well as many receptors for different cytokines. Armed on this way, DCs are one of the most effective antigen presenting and immunoregulatory cells. Moreover, role of DCs in development of immune reaction can be crucial due to they are one of the most important cellular “link” between native and adaptive immunity. DCs are engaged in mechanisms of antigen processing and presentation, induction of immune reaction, establishing immune tolerance and immune reaction regulation, balancing the immune reaction between autodestruction and protection of “self” cells. These functions makes that DCs play very important role in development of some pathological conditions and diseases such as autoimmunity, allergies and quality of anti-tumor and anti-microbe defense. Unbalanced immune reaction is hallmark of all cited diseases and immunopatological conditions, so that the function of DCs should be explored on the better way.</p>