Myeloid dendritic cells: Development, functions, and role in atherosclerotic inflammation

Graphical abstract Myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) comprise a heterogeneous population of professional antigen-presenting cells, which are responsible for capture, processing, and presentation of antigens on their surface to T cells. The proinflammatory role of mDCs is consisted in production of inflammatory molecules and priming proinflammatory subsets of effector T cells. In contrast, tolerogenic mDCs fight against inflammation through arrest of activity of proinflammatory T cells and macrophages and induction of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. Microenvironmental conditions in atherosclerotic lesions trigger differentiation of mDCs to acquire proinflammatory or regulatory properties.