Dendritic cells and monocytes

Dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes are essential myeloid lineage cells that bridge innate and adaptive immunity (StatPearls, 2023). Monocytes circulate in the blood and can differentiate into macrophages or DCs upon tissue entry, while DCs are the most potent professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) responsible for T-cell priming (NIH, 2022). In the context of drug development, these cells are not single molecular targets but are modulated via specific receptors like TLRs or cytokine receptors to enhance anti-tumor immunity or suppress autoimmunity (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2019). For example, Sipuleucel-T is a cell-based therapy that utilizes autologous APCs to treat prostate cancer (FDA, 2010). Targeting the recruitment and activation of these cells is a major focus in treating chronic inflammation and various malignancies (Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2015).

Other names

Mononuclear phagocyte systemMyeloid antigen-presenting cellsMonocyte-derived dendritic cellsProfessional antigen-presenting cells

Therapeutic strategies typically involve the modulation of these cells via specific molecular targets such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), CD40, or cytokine receptors to induce maturation, enhance antigen presentation, or promote recruitment to specific tissues.