myeloid dendritic cell activation

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The change in morphology and behavior of a dendritic cell resulting from exposure to a cytokine, chemokine, cellular ligand, or soluble factor. [GOC:mgi_curators, ISBN:0781735149]

Myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that play a crucial role in initiating and shaping adaptive immune responses. Their activation is a tightly regulated process that involves a cascade of events, ultimately leading to the presentation of antigens to T cells and the induction of T cell responses.

mDC activation is triggered by a variety of stimuli, including pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on the cell surface, and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) released from damaged or stressed cells. Upon encountering these stimuli, mDCs undergo a series of changes, including:

1. **Up-regulation of surface molecules:** Activation leads to increased expression of co-stimulatory molecules like CD80, CD86, and CD40 on the mDC surface. These molecules are essential for the interaction with T cells and their subsequent activation.
2. **Maturation and migration:** Activated mDCs undergo morphological and functional changes, becoming more mature and acquiring migratory capacity. This allows them to travel from the periphery to secondary lymphoid organs like lymph nodes, where they encounter T cells.
3. **Antigen processing and presentation:** mDCs internalize antigens through various mechanisms, including phagocytosis, macropinocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis. These antigens are then processed and presented on MHC class II molecules, which are expressed on the mDC surface.
4. **Cytokine production:** Activated mDCs secrete a range of cytokines, such as IL-12, IL-6, and TNF-α, which play a crucial role in shaping the immune response. IL-12 promotes the differentiation of naive T cells into Th1 cells, which are important for cell-mediated immunity.
5. **T cell activation:** Mature mDCs migrate to lymph nodes and present antigens to T cells via MHC-peptide complexes. This interaction, along with co-stimulatory signals and cytokines produced by the mDC, leads to T cell activation and the induction of specific immune responses.

The activation of mDCs is a complex and tightly controlled process that involves a combination of signals and cellular responses. These responses are essential for the initiation and regulation of adaptive immune responses, ultimately protecting the host from pathogens and other threats.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (4)