Intestinal conventional dendritic cell subset 2 (cDC2 (CD103⁺CD11b⁺))

CD103⁺CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ dendritic cells represent a specific subset of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) predominantly found in the intestinal mucosa and other non-lymphoid tissues. These cells are defined by the surface co-expression of integrin alpha E (CD103), integrin alpha M (CD11b), and integrin alpha X (CD11c), and play crucial, non-redundant roles in innate and adaptive immune responses, particularly in controlling T cell priming and mucosal immune homeostasis[2][4]. CD103⁺CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ dendritic cells are a subset of conventional dendritic cells (cDC2) present primarily in the gut mucosa and other non-lymphoid tissues[4]. They require the transcription factor IRF4 for development, unlike cDC1 subsets, and are essential for the rapid priming of CD4⁺ T cells following mucosal immunization. CD103⁺CD11b⁺CD11c⁺ cDC2s accumulate in the mesenteric lymph node in response to microbial and inflammatory signals, orchestrating the adaptive immune response[4]. They are identified by their distinct combination of cell surface markers and are differentiated from CD103⁺CD11b⁻ and CD103⁻CD11b⁺ cDC subsets, which have different immunological functions and tissue localization[1][4]. This subset does not correspond to a molecular target (e.g., a gene, receptor, or enzyme), but rather a cellular phenotype key to immune surveillance and homeostasis in the intestine. Caveats: - This is not a canonical drug target or single molecule but a subset of immune cells defined by co-expression of several markers[4]. - The name designates a population and is not a standardized molecular entity; "cDC2" is the best-fit canonical name for this context[4]. - There are currently no drugs that selectively target this specific cell subset; any immune modulation occurs as an indirect effect on these cells[4].

Other names

CD103-positive CD11b-positive conventional dendritic cellintestinal cDC2migratory cDC2