摘要
Dendritic cells （DCs） are important immune cells linking innate and adaptive immune responses. DCs encounter various self and non-self antigens present in the envi- ronment and induce different types of antigen specific adaptive immune responses. DCs can be classified into lymphoid tissue-resident DCs, migratory DCs, non-lym-phoid resident DCs, and monocyte derived DCs （moDCs）. Recent work has also established that DCs consist of developmentally and functionally distinct subsets that differentially regulate T lymphocyte func- tion. The development of different DC subsets has been found to be regulated by a network of different cytokines and transcriptional factors. Moreover, the response of DC is tightly regulated to maintain the homeostasis of immune system. MicroRNAs （miRNAs）are an important class of cellular regulators that modulate gene expres- sion and thereby influence cell fate and function. In the immune system, miRNAs act at checkpoints during hematopoietic development and cell subset differentia- tion, they modulate effector cell function, and are implicated in the maintenance of homeostasis. DCs are also regulated by miRNAs. In the past decade, much progress has been made to understand the role of miRNAs in regulating the development and function of DCs. In this review, we summarize the origin and dis- tribution of different mouse DC subsets in both lym- phoid and non-lymphoid tissues. The DC subsets identified in human are also described. Recent progress on the function of miRNAs in the development and activation of DCs and their functional relevance to autoimmune diseases are discussed.
Dendritic cells （DCs） are important immune cells linking innate and adaptive immune responses. DCs encounter various self and non-self antigens present in the envi- ronment and induce different types of antigen specific adaptive immune responses. DCs can be classified into lymphoid tissue-resident DCs, migratory DCs, non-lym-phoid resident DCs, and monocyte derived DCs （moDCs）. Recent work has also established that DCs consist of developmentally and functionally distinct subsets that differentially regulate T lymphocyte func- tion. The development of different DC subsets has been found to be regulated by a network of different cytokines and transcriptional factors. Moreover, the response of DC is tightly regulated to maintain the homeostasis of immune system. MicroRNAs （miRNAs）are an important class of cellular regulators that modulate gene expres- sion and thereby influence cell fate and function. In the immune system, miRNAs act at checkpoints during hematopoietic development and cell subset differentia- tion, they modulate effector cell function, and are implicated in the maintenance of homeostasis. DCs are also regulated by miRNAs. In the past decade, much progress has been made to understand the role of miRNAs in regulating the development and function of DCs. In this review, we summarize the origin and dis- tribution of different mouse DC subsets in both lym- phoid and non-lymphoid tissues. The DC subsets identified in human are also described. Recent progress on the function of miRNAs in the development and activation of DCs and their functional relevance to autoimmune diseases are discussed.
