dendritic cell homeostasis

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process of regulating the proliferation and elimination of dendritic cells such that the total number of dendritic cells within a whole or part of an organism is stable over time in the absence of an outside stimulus. [CL:0000451, GOC:uh, PMID:12570827, PMID:19176316]

Dendritic cell (DC) homeostasis is a tightly regulated process that ensures a stable population of DCs in tissues, ready to initiate adaptive immune responses. This complex process involves a delicate balance between DC differentiation, migration, survival, and death.

**1. Differentiation:**
- DC precursors in the bone marrow differentiate into distinct DC subsets:
- Conventional DCs (cDCs): further subdivided into cDC1 and cDC2, specialized in presenting antigens to distinct T cell subsets.
- Plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs): primarily involved in type I interferon production in response to viral infections.
- Differentiation is influenced by various factors, including growth factors (e.g., Flt3 ligand), cytokines (e.g., GM-CSF, IL-4), and transcription factors (e.g., PU.1, IRF8).

**2. Migration:**
- Mature DCs, after encountering antigens, migrate from peripheral tissues to secondary lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, spleen).
- This migration is driven by chemokine gradients (e.g., CCL19, CCL21) and involves the expression of adhesion molecules (e.g., CCR7).

**3. Survival:**
- DCs require specific survival signals to maintain their viability.
- These signals include:
- Growth factors (e.g., Flt3 ligand, GM-CSF)
- Cytokines (e.g., IL-7, IL-15)
- Interactions with stromal cells in lymphoid tissues

**4. Death:**
- DCs undergo apoptosis or are eliminated by other immune cells (e.g., NK cells) when their function is no longer required.
- This process helps to maintain a balanced DC population and prevent excessive immune activation.

**5. Regulation of DC Homeostasis:**
- Several mechanisms regulate DC homeostasis, including:
- Crosstalk between DCs and other immune cells
- Feedback loops involving cytokines and chemokines
- The presence of tolerogenic DCs, which suppress immune responses and promote tolerance.

**6. Importance of DC Homeostasis:**
- Maintaining DC homeostasis is crucial for:
- Effective initiation of adaptive immune responses
- Prevention of autoimmune diseases
- Regulation of tissue inflammation and repair
- Establishment of immune tolerance to self-antigens'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (15)