CD83 on dendritic cells: more than just a marker for maturation

CD83 has been known for a long time to be one of the best markers for mature dendritic cells (DCs). Studies with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected DCs, whereby the viral infection leads to the degradation of CD83, as well as investigations inhibiting CD83 mRNA transport, have provided evidence that CD83 might also be important for DC biology. Recently, we have shown that the soluble extracellular CD83 domain inhibits DC-mediated T-cell proliferation, representing the first report describing a functional role for CD83. CD83 is the best known marker for mature dendritic cells. Here, we report the first functional characterization of CD83.