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DENDRITIC CELLS AS ARBITERS OF PERITONEAL IMMUNE RESPONSES

The FOCIS Centre for Clinical Immunology and Immunotherapeutics, Robarts Research Institute, and the Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, and Medicine, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence to: J. Madrenas, Robarts Research Institute, Room 2.05, P.O. Box 5015, 100 Perth Drive, London, Ontario N6A 5K8 Canada.madrenas{at}robarts.ca

During the past few years, there has been a substantial increase in the understanding of innate immunity. Dendritic cells are emerging as key players in the orchestration of this early phase of immune responses, with a role that will translate into the subsequent type of adaptive immune response against infection. Here we provide an overview of dendritic cell differentiation and function, with particular emphasis on those features unique to the immune defense of the peritoneal cavity and in the context of peritoneal dialysis-associated immune responses. The reader is referred to the primary references included in the accompanying list for specific details in this fascinating field.

KEY WORDS: Dendritic cells; innate immunity; adaptive immunity; peritonitis.

Received 5 July 2005; accepted 29 August 2005.

Copyright © 2006 by Multimed Inc.