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.