Use of dendritic cells in drug selection, development and therapy

Background: Dendritic cells (DC) have the unique ability to induce immunity against tumors and various pathogens or to promote tolerance in autoimmunity and transplantation. Hence, they are central to the regulation of immune responses. Objective/methods: Due to the unique tolerogenic ability of DC, understanding some of the key molecules that regulate DC function may help with targeting the relevant signals in DC as therapeutic options for many disease conditions. DC are also targets of drugs, and many of the anti-inflammatory and pharmaceutical agents used to prevent autoimmunity or inhibit graft rejection interfere with DC function. Results/conclusion: The drug-induced changes in DC may provide information for the selection of drugs and further drug discovery along with the use of DC as adjuvant in the treatment of autoimmunity and prevention of graft rejection in transplantation.