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Dendritic cells (DCs) have a pivotal role in instructing antigen-specific immune responses, processing and presenting antigens to CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and producing factors capable to modulate the quality of T-cell responses. In this review, we will provide an historic overview on the identification of the mechanisms controlling lymphocyte migration into the largest immune organ of the body: the gut, and we will describe how in recent years an unexpected role for DCs has emerged as the architects in programming gut-homing immune cells. Specifically, we will review how intestinal DCs utilize the dietary vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid (RA) to program gut-homing lymphocytes and how intestinal DCs acquire the unique capacity to become RA producers.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/icb.2012.73

Type

Journal article

Journal

Immunol Cell Biol

Publication Date

03/2013

Volume

91

Pages

240 - 249

Keywords

Animals, Antigen Presentation, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Cell Movement, Dendritic Cells, Humans, Intestinal Mucosa, Vitamin A