Dendritic cells and macrophages (DC/Mφ)

Dendritic cells and macrophages are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that serve as critical bridges between innate and adaptive immunity. Macrophages are primarily involved in phagocytosis, tissue repair, and maintaining homeostasis, while dendritic cells are specialized in capturing antigens and migrating to lymph nodes to prime T cell responses. In the tumor microenvironment, these cells can adopt either pro-inflammatory (antitumor) or immunosuppressive (pro-tumor) phenotypes, making them key targets for immunotherapy. Drugs targeting these cells often aim to reprogram their functional state, such as using Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to promote maturation or blocking inhibitory receptors to restore their ability to activate T cells. Their plasticity and central role in immune regulation make them pivotal in treating cancer, chronic infections, and autoimmune disorders.

Other names

Mononuclear phagocytesAntigen-presenting cellsMyeloid cellsMononuclear phagocyte systemProfessional phagocytes

Modulation of immune response through activation or inhibition of cell-surface receptors (e.g., TLRs, Fc receptors) and signaling pathways (e.g., mTOR) to enhance antigen presentation or reduce immunosuppression.