Role des cellules dendritiques dans l'immunite naturelle

Dendritic cells play a major role in initiation of adaptive immune responses. Their use in anticancer immunotherapy has demonstrated their efficacy in initiation of a tumour-specific immune response. The study of the role of dendritic cells in induction of an antitumour immune response, predominantly mediated by NK cells, enabled the authors to demonstrate: that adoptive transfer or expansion of dendritic cells following injection of Flt3L generated an NK cell-dependent antitumour immune response. In vitro studies have demonstrated that dendritic cells are able to activate resting NK cells following direct intercellular contact. This function new places dendritic cells at the interface of innate immunity and acquired immunity.