Banchereau J, Steinman R M
Baylor Institute for Immunology, Research, Baylor Research Institute, Dallas, Texas 75246, USA.
Nature. 1998 Mar 19;392(6673):245-52. doi: 10.1038/32588.
B and T lymphocytes are the mediators of immunity, but their function is under the control of dendritic cells. Dendritic cells in the periphery capture and process antigens, express lymphocyte co-stimulatory molecules, migrate to lymphoid organs and secrete cytokines to initiate immune responses. They not only activate lymphocytes, they also tolerize T cells to antigens that are innate to the body (self-antigens), thereby minimizing autoimmune reactions. Once a neglected cell type, dendritic cells can now be readily obtained in sufficient quantities to allow molecular and cell biological analysis. With knowledge comes the realization that these cells are a powerful tool for manipulating the immune system.
B淋巴细胞和T淋巴细胞是免疫反应的介导者，但其功能受树突状细胞的控制。外周的树突状细胞捕获并处理抗原，表达淋巴细胞共刺激分子，迁移至淋巴器官并分泌细胞因子以启动免疫反应。它们不仅激活淋巴细胞，还使T细胞对机体自身固有的抗原（自身抗原）产生耐受，从而将自身免疫反应降至最低。树突状细胞曾是一种被忽视的细胞类型，现在已能够很容易地大量获取，以便进行分子和细胞生物学分析。随着认识的深入，人们意识到这些细胞是操控免疫系统的有力工具。
