What Are Dendritic Cells?

Dendritic cells (also known as DC cells) were discovered by Canadian scholar Steinman in 1973. They are the most powerful antigen-presenting cells. They are named because they protrude many dendritic or pseudopod-like processes when they mature.

Dendritic cells (dendritic cells, DC) are named for their stellate polymorphism or dendritic processes on their surface, which were first discovered by American scientist Ralph M. Steinman in 1973. DC has no specific cell surface molecular markers, which are mainly identified by morphology, combined cell surface markers, and the ability to activate initial T cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions. DC originates from bone marrow pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells, and there are two main ways to differentiate: Myeloid stem cells differentiate into DC under the stimulation of GM-CSF, called myeloid dendritic cells (MDC), also called DC1, and single Nuclear cells and granulocytes have common precursor cells; derived from lymphoid stem cells, and common precursor cells with T cells and NK cells, called lymphoid DC (Lymphoid dendritic cells (LDC) or plasma cell-like DC ( plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), that is, DC2. DC is widely distributed in the skin, airways, and lymphoid organs, and is highly heterogeneous. Therefore, DCs in different tissues have different names. Such as the DC distributed between the basal layer of the epidermis of the skin and the spinous cells are called Langerhans cells ^[1]

On October 3, 2011, the Karolinska Institute of Medicine in Sweden announced that the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to the American scientist Bruce Butler, French scientist Jules Huffman, and Canadian scientist Ralph R. Steinman in recognition of their unique discoveries in the field of the human immune system. Among them, Ralph Steinman was awarded 1/2 of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his achievements in the discovery of dendritic cells and their role in the adaptive immune system.

Regrettably, Rockefeller University confirmed later that day that Ralph Steinman, a Canadian cell biologist at the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, died on September 30 (Friday) at the age of 68. "Four years ago, Ralph Steinman was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and he extended his life with dendritic cell-based immunotherapy that he invented," said Rockefeller University. Thankfully, we can see trees in it. There are broad prospects for DCs in the treatment of diseases such as cancer ^[2] .