Arne Sutter

Immunophenotypical and Functional Characterization of Bone Marrow Derived Dendritic Cells

Mature dendritic cells of bone marrow origin are the most efficient antigen presenting cells (APC’s) and are required for primary antigen dependent T cell responses.1 The successful initiation of this response depends on at least two signals to be delivered by the APC. The first is provided by the interaction of the MHC class II-peptide complex and the T-cell receptor, the second signal by the action of costimulatory molecules.2,3 Recently among the latter B7 receptors have been studied most extensively as counterreceptors of CD28 (on most TH cells) and CTLA4 (on activated T cells).