Fig 1: The schema chart of a complex interaction between DC, T
cells, and tumor cells
Note: DC promotes immunity by presenting antigens to T cells and
providing immunomodulatory signals through cell-cell contact and
cytokines. DC can recognize, ingest and process tumor antigens. After
processing and presentation, antigens are presented to
CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells via MHC
class I or class II molecules on the surface of DC, initiating T cell
activation. Mature DC highly expresses costimulatory molecules such as
CD80, CD86, and CD40, providing a second signal for the full activation
of T cells. DCs secrete several cytokines, including IL-2/IL-12/IFN-γ,
which further induce the proliferation and differentiation of activated
T cells to complete the initiation of the immune response. Unlike
activating memory T cells, the activation of naive T cells is more
dependent on the presence of DC stimulation signals. Therefore, DC is
the most potent mature APC, unique in its ability to prime naive T
cells.