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The Complete Guide to CD11c Dendritic Cells

13 December, 2023 by Anshul (neobio)

Introduction

Are you tired of untrustworthy antibodies affecting the reliability of your data? Do you question if the antibodies you’re using are truly specific for your application? Enter CD11c dendritic cells – intricate players in the cellular world, with a key role in immune responses that can be deeply understood with the use of reliable, highly validated antibodies, such as those provided by NeoBiotechnologies.

Overview of Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) form a crucial bridge between innate and adaptive immunity, responsible for triggering primary immune responses. These cells constantly inspect their environment for pathogens, and upon identification, they capture, process, and present the antigens to T cells, thus initiating an immune response. This makes them a centerpiece in the study of immune responses and inflammatory diseases.

Role of CD11c in Dendritic Cells

CD11c, also identified as integrin alpha X, is recognized as a defining marker of dendritic cells. Essentially, CD11c is prevalent on several types of immune cells, but its high expression on dendritic cells has earmarked it as a reliable identifier for this cell type. CD11c dendritic cells are not just bystanders; they have a pivotal role in mediating phagocytosis and T-cell proliferation, which forms the basis of immune responses to many diseases.

To put it in simpler terms, here’s a rapid-fire overview of CD11c dendritic cells:

  • They are a type of dendritic cell identified by their high expression of CD11c
  • CD11c, or integrin alpha X, can bind to a part of the immune system called complement iC3b and mediate phagocytosis
  • They play a crucial role in T-cell activation, thus impacting immune responses
  • Their functions can influence inflammation, fibrosis, and hypertrophy, especially in cases like left ventricular hypertrophy

CD11c Dendritic Cells Infographic - cd11c dendritic cell infographic pillar-4-steps

Stay tuned if you’re eager to delve into a comprehensive understanding of CD11c dendritic cells, their role in immune responses, and how specialized antibodies can assist in these revelations.

Understanding CD11c Dendritic Cells

In the pursuit of advancing scientific discovery, having a comprehensive understanding of CD11c dendritic cells is paramount. These cells play a significant role in our immune system, impacting everything from T-cell activation to our body’s response to inflammation.

Defining CD11c Dendritic Cells

CD11c, also known as integrin alpha X, is a defining marker for dendritic cells (DCs). These cells serve as messengers between the innate and adaptive immunity, playing a crucial role in our body’s immune responses. CD11c dendritic cells are particularly adept at phagocytosis in vitro, earning them the name of complement receptor 4.

The Function of CD11c+ in Dendritic Cells

The function of CD11c+ in dendritic cells is an area of ongoing research, with new findings continuously enhancing our understanding. One significant role of CD11c+ DCs is in T-cell proliferation and activation. The upsurge of these cells in areas like an overloaded myocardium can cause inflammation, fibrosis, and hypertrophy, particularly through self-antigen-specific mechanisms.

Cell Types Labelled by CD11c

While CD11c is predominantly found on DCs, its expression is not solely confined to these cells. Some CD11c expression has been found on spleen macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, activated T cells, and monocytes. However, the presence of MHC-II in addition to CD11c does not necessarily distinguish DCs in all contexts.

Difference Between CD11b and CD11c Markers

The markers CD11b and CD11c are both integral to immune responses, but they differ in their expression and functions. CD11b, for instance, is predominantly found on myeloid cells and is also expressed on NK cells, mast cells, and a subset of T and B cells. In contrast, CD11c is most abundant on DCs.

These distinctions are important to note, as they can influence the selection of highly validated, monospecific Rabbit Recombinant Monoclonal Antibodies for specific applications in Immunohistochemistry, Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, or Immunofluorescence.

As our expert Dr. Atul K. Tandon, Founder and CEO of NeoBiotechnologies, always emphasizes, understanding these cellular markers is crucial for the selection of suitable antibodies in scientific research.

Stay tuned as we further delve into the role of CD11c dendritic cells in immune responses in the next section.

Role of CD11c Dendritic Cells in Immune Responses

As we dive deeper into CD11c dendritic cells, it’s important to acknowledge their vital function in our immune responses. These cells are not just passive markers; they play active roles in orchestrating our body’s defense mechanisms, particularly in inflammatory responses, T-cell activation and proliferation, and even in conditions such as left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction.

CD11c Dendritic Cells in Inflammatory Responses

The CD11c dendritic cells are central players in the inflammatory response. Their function as professional antigen-presenting cells makes them crucial orchestrators of immune responses. Upon encountering an antigen, these cells capture, process, and present it to T cells, thereby initiating an immune response. This response is heightened in cases of systolic overload, a condition that can lead to heart failure, and is characterized by increased inflammatory cytokines and T-cell infiltration.

CD11c Dendritic Cells in T-cell Activation and Proliferation

The relationship between dendritic cells and T cells is a key aspect of our immune system. Dendritic cells, particularly the CD11c+ variety, modulate T-cell function. When these dendritic cells present antigens to T cells, it triggers T-cell activation and proliferation. In fact, studies have shown that pulsing of autologous dendritic cells with left ventricular homogenates from mice exposed to pressure overload promotes T-cell proliferation. This interplay between CD11c+ dendritic cells and T cells is crucial for an effective immune response.

Impact of CD11c Dendritic Cells on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Dysfunction

In addition to their role in general immune responses, CD11c+ dendritic cells have been implicated in specific conditions such as left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction. Studies have shown that an increase of these cells contributes to these conditions. Furthermore, the depletion of bone marrow-derived CD11c+ dendritic cells significantly attenuates left ventricular fibrosis and hypertrophy in mice exposed to pressure overload. This highlights the potential therapeutic applications of understanding and manipulating CD11c+ dendritic cell function.

In conclusion, the role of CD11c dendritic cells in immune responses is far-reaching and significant. Whether it’s orchestrating inflammatory responses or modulating T-cell function, these cells are integral to our body’s defense mechanisms. For those in the scientific community, such as our researchers at NeoBiotechnologies, understanding these cells is key to advancing our knowledge of the immune system and potentially developing targeted therapies for conditions such as left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction.

Stay tuned for our next section, where we explore the difference between CD11c dendritic cells in neonates and adults.

CD11c Dendritic Cells in Neonates and Adults

After exploring the role of CD11c dendritic cells in immune responses, the next focus is understanding how these cells function in different stages of human development, specifically in neonates and adults. It’s crucial to note that the CD11c dendritic cells display some significant differences in their concentration and functional responses between these two stages of life.

Comparison of CD11c Dendritic Cells in Cord Blood and Adult Peripheral Blood

CD11c dendritic cells are found both in the cord blood of neonates and the peripheral blood of adults. However, there are differences in their concentration and surface phenotype. For instance, the CD11c+ DCs in cord blood and adult peripheral blood are similar in terms of their concentrations and surface phenotype. An exception is the CD86 protein, a vital co-stimulatory molecule in T-cell activation, which is lower on cord blood CD11c+ DCs.

Interestingly, the concentration of another type of dendritic cells, called pDCs (plasmacytoid dendritic cells), is significantly higher in cord blood compared to adult peripheral blood. This concentration gradually declines after birth.

Impact of CD11c Dendritic Cells on Th1 Immunity in Neonates

The CD11c dendritic cells play a crucial role in the immune response, particularly in Th1 immunity. However, this immunity seems to be particularly limited in neonates and young infants compared to older individuals. This can be attributed to the decreased production of IL-12 p70 by CD11c+ DCs in response to certain stimulations.

However, it’s worth noting that this limitation may be pathogen-dependent. For instance, certain Gram-positive and -negative bacteria or meningococcal outer-membrane proteins stimulate a comparable IL-12 production by cord blood CD11c+ DCs to that of adult CD11c+ DCs.

Role of CD11c Dendritic Cells in Pathogen Control

CD11c dendritic cells play a pivotal role in controlling pathogens, especially in neonates. However, the production of type I IFN by CD11c+ DCs and pDCs is reduced in cord blood, which may limit the neonate’s control of pathogens such as herpes simplex virus.

For instance, the production of IFN-α, a type I interferon, by cord blood CD11c+ DCs in response to certain stimulations is lower compared to adult DCs. This decreased production of type I IFN by neonatal DCs appears to be due to reduced nuclear translocation of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), a transcription factor essential for the induction of type I IFN.

In conclusion, understanding the differences in CD11c dendritic cells in neonates and adults can provide valuable insights into the development and function of the immune system. Moreover, these insights can be leveraged in developing targeted therapies, such as the highly validated, monospecific Rabbit Recombinant Monoclonal Antibodies manufactured by NeoBiotechnologies.

Conclusion

Summary of CD11c Dendritic Cells’ Role in Immune Responses

In conclusion, CD11c, also known as integrin alpha X, is a defining marker predominantly found on dendritic cells (DCs). These CD11c dendritic cells play a pivotal role in the immune system by facilitating T-cell proliferation and activation. Additionally, they contribute to inflammatory responses, such as those observed in the left ventricle under stress and overload conditions.

Although CD11c is most abundant on DCs, its expression is also observed on spleen macrophages, NK cells, activated T cells, and monocytes. The nuanced roles of CD11c in various cell types and immune responses underline the importance of understanding and studying this cellular marker.

Potential Therapeutic Applications of Understanding CD11c Dendritic Cells

The comprehensive understanding of CD11c dendritic cells can have significant implications for therapeutics. By manipulating the functions of these cells, we can potentially control immune responses, which can be beneficial in conditions where the immune system is overactive or underperforming.

For instance, in the context of left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction, the increased infiltration of CD11c+ DCs can cause inflammation, fibrosis, and hypertrophy. Targeting these cells could, therefore, be a potential therapeutic strategy for such heart conditions.

Moreover, the distinct characteristics of CD11c dendritic cells can be utilized in the development of specific antibodies for research applications. For instance, NeoBiotechnologies offers a range of highly validated, monospecific Rabbit Recombinant Monoclonal Antibodies ideal for various applications like Immunohistochemistry, Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, or Immunofluorescence.

For further reading and to explore the extensive range of antibodies available, visit NeoBiotechnologies’ website. You can browse through various subpages like CD11c dendritic cell marker and CD86 dendritic cells maturation marker among others.

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