摘要
Since the discovery of dendritic cells(DCs)by the Nobel laureate Professor Ralph Steinman et al.in 1973,a plethora of literature has accumulated on the functional roles of DCs in humans and animal models.1 DCs are involved in the innate sensing and modulation of adaptive immunity to pathogens.CD103+DCs constitute a classical nonlymphoid DC subset that has an important role in generating immunity and maintaining tolerance.2 Pulmonary CD103+DCs(CD103+PDCs),which reside in close association with the airway epithelium,are particularly critical in controlling Tcell immunity against lung infections.2,3 In this article,we discuss recent evidence that shines light on the role and mechanism of CD103+PDCs in modulating CD8+and CD4+T-cell responses against various pathogens,including bacteria and viruses.A deeper understanding of CD103+PDC function may provide new translational avenues for the development of vaccines and therapeutics against infectious diseases.
