Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells (APCs). CD4 + CD25 + T regulatory cells (T regs) are recognized as professional regulatory cells. DCs not only initiate T cell immunity by uptake, processing and presentation of specific antigens, but also induce immune tolerance by deletion of T cells and/or induction of regulatory T cells. CD4 + CD25 + T regs maintain immune tolerance by suppressing the function of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, B cells, macrophages, DCs and NK cells.

more »

... t would be inconceivable that the delicate balance between immunity and tolerance could be kept impeccable without the crosstalk between DCs and CD4 + CD25 + T regs. This review focuses on the recent development in our understanding of DCs and CD4 + CD25 + T regs in immune tolerance, with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) serving as a potential link between these two professionals.