Antibody-Mediated Delivery of Antigen to Dendritic Cells

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells that control T cell responses. DCs play a dual role in inducing and orchestrating adaptive immune responses upon infection but also maintaining T cell tolerance. The superior capacity of DCs to control immunogenicity has initiated the development of DC-targeted vaccines that aim at inducing potent, durable and adjustable immune responses that could be clinically favourable in various human disorders. Specific delivery of antigen to DCs has been assayed in a research setting for a couple of decades and these efforts have now enabled implementation of DC-targeted vaccines in a clinical setting. The present review discusses targeting of DCs with special focus on antibody-mediated delivery of antigen.