Types Of Dendritic Cells

The dendritic cells are important players in our immune system and this is why it is very important that we get to understand the types of dendritic cells. There are four types of dendritic cells, the in vivo, blood dendritic cells, in vitro, and nonprimate. Get to know all these types of dendritic cells as you will be able to use the knowledge well in making sure that you stay healthy at all times.

The first types of dendritic cells are called in vivo. These are the types of dendritic cells that are found in primates and are subdivided into two, myeloid dendritic cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. The myeloid ones are said to be quite similar to the monocytes. They are known to be a stimulator of the T cells in a massive way. They are also some of these dendritic cells that are known to be rare. However, the rare ones are important as they are the ones that have the capability to fight wound infections. The plasmacytoid types of dendritic cells, on the other hand, are those that look just like the plasma cells. However, the main difference between the plasma and the plasmacytoid cells is that the latter has many similar characteristics with the myeloid dendritic cells.

The in vitro types of dendritic cells are those that are cultured dendritic cells. They do not show any behaviors that are seen in the ordinary dendritic cells. They are artificial, in other words. They are there to be used in different kinds of researches as they are the ones that are readily available to be used.

The nonprimate types of dendritic cells are the ones that are seen in primates that are not human. Most of the time, they are seen in mouse and other animals and have also different types of dendritic cells within them.

The types of dendritic cells in the blood are important players too in the immune system functions. They are enumerated and identified based in their flow cytometry. There are actually three different kinds of blood dendritic cells. The first one is called CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells, the second are called CD 141+ myeloid dendritic cells, and the third ones are called CD 303+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Of course they all have different functions. However, they are all aimed at making sure that the immune system functions well and good and that the body of the human or mammal that has them will be able to fight off bacteria, fungi and viruses as well. Remember that these dendritic cells that are found in the blood do not have tissue counterparts. The tissues do not have dendrites and are a lot less mature than these ones. However, they are still known to be able to function the best way possible and some of their known crucial functions include production of chemokine in the blood, the cross presentation of the CD141+, and the production of IFNalpha in the CD 303+. Indeed, it is important that you get to understand these things because it is what keeps you away from getting illnesses easily.