Abstract
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune response is targeted to self-antigens, leading to destruction or altered function of specific cells and tissues. Although the aetiology of these diseases has not yet been fully elucidated, it is believed that genetically determined susceptibility and environmental triggers are both implicated in the detrimental immune response against the bodys own tissues. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells that play an important role in maintaining peripheral tolerance by preventing self-reactive T cells from causing autoimmune damage. Thus, alterations in the physiology of DCs are likely to be responsible for defective immune regulatory mechanisms and incomplete tolerance to self. Here, we will focus specifically on the ways in which the immunological synapse occurring at the DC-T cell interface can fine-tune the balance between tolerance and immunity and how alterations of this synapse can determine induction or perpetuation of autoimmune responses. Activating/inhibitory receptors expressed on the surface of DCs and T cells modulate the function of these cells and influence the course of the immune response. Pharmacological approaches that can modulate DC function will be also addressed as a potential antigen-specific strategy in the design of new, noninvasive therapies to prevent or to treat chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorders.
Keywords: Autoimmunity, dendritic cell, T cell, immunological synapse, regulatory T cell, immune tolerance
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: The Dendritic Cell-T Cell Synapse as a Determinant of Autoimmune Pathogenesis
Volume: 12 Issue: 2
Author(s): Mirentxu I. Iruretagoyena, Margrit Wiesendanger and Alexis M. Kalergis
Affiliation:
Keywords: Autoimmunity, dendritic cell, T cell, immunological synapse, regulatory T cell, immune tolerance
Abstract: Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune response is targeted to self-antigens, leading to destruction or altered function of specific cells and tissues. Although the aetiology of these diseases has not yet been fully elucidated, it is believed that genetically determined susceptibility and environmental triggers are both implicated in the detrimental immune response against the bodys own tissues. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells that play an important role in maintaining peripheral tolerance by preventing self-reactive T cells from causing autoimmune damage. Thus, alterations in the physiology of DCs are likely to be responsible for defective immune regulatory mechanisms and incomplete tolerance to self. Here, we will focus specifically on the ways in which the immunological synapse occurring at the DC-T cell interface can fine-tune the balance between tolerance and immunity and how alterations of this synapse can determine induction or perpetuation of autoimmune responses. Activating/inhibitory receptors expressed on the surface of DCs and T cells modulate the function of these cells and influence the course of the immune response. Pharmacological approaches that can modulate DC function will be also addressed as a potential antigen-specific strategy in the design of new, noninvasive therapies to prevent or to treat chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorders.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Iruretagoyena I. Mirentxu, Wiesendanger Margrit and Kalergis M. Alexis, The Dendritic Cell-T Cell Synapse as a Determinant of Autoimmune Pathogenesis, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2006; 12 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206775193145
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206775193145 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Blood-based biomarkers in large-scale screening for neurodegenerative diseases
Disease biomarkers are necessary tools that can be employ in several clinical context of use (COU), ranging from the (early) diagnosis, prognosis, prediction, to monitor of disease state and/or drug efficacy. Regarding neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a battery of well-validated biomarkers are available, such as cerebrospinal fluid ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Diabetes mellitus: advances in diagnosis and treatment driving by precision medicine
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic degenerative metabolic disease with ever increasing prevalence worldwide which is now an epidemic disease affecting 500 million people worldwide. Insufficient insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells unable to maintain blood glucose homeostasis is the main feature of this disease. Multifactorial and complex nature of ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
![Wayfinder Image](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Haematopoietic Stem Cell Gene Therapy to Treat Autoimmune Disease
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Role of Janus Kinases Inhibitors
Current Medicinal Chemistry Central Self - Tolerance by Thymic Presentation of Self - Antigens and Autoimmunity
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents Human Use of Leucoselect® Phytosome® with Special Reference to Inflammatory- Allergic Pathologies in Frail Elderly Patients
Current Pharmaceutical Design Personalized Therapies in Pediatric Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Role of HLA Promoters in Autoimmunity
Current Pharmaceutical Design Molecular Genetics and Epidemiology of Japanese Type 1 Diabetes
Current Pharmacogenomics PROGRAMMED Cell Clearance: Molecular Mechanisms and Role in Autoimmune Disease, Chronic Inflammation, and Anti-Cancer Immune Responses
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Neopterin as a Marker for Immune System Activation
Current Drug Metabolism Novel Approaches to the Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis based on an Understanding of Disease Mechanisms
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) The Soluble CTLA-4 Receptor and its Emerging Role in Autoimmune Diseases
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Clinical Applications of Autoimmunity to Citrullinated Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis, from Improving Diagnostics to Future Therapies
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery An Unusual Presentation of a Rare Scleroderma Mimic: What is Behind the Scenes?
Current Rheumatology Reviews Invariant Natural Killer T Cell-Based Therapy of Autoimmune Diseases
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Biological Properties and Clinical Applications
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Nanotechnology in Therapeutics – Current Technologies and Applications
Current Nanoscience An Update on Autoinflammatory Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Dendritic Cells and Immunomodulation: Role in Health and Disease
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) The Study of HLA Class II and Autoimmune Diabetes
Current Molecular Medicine B Cells and Beyond: Therapeutic Opportunities Targeting Inflammation
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued)