Mapping dendritic-cell responses

A crucial and early element in host responses is determined by dendritic cells, but how variable are their responses to the patterns of molecules presented to them by different pathogens? Genetic expression in dendritic cells has been assayed by isolating mRNA following culture with appropriate stimuli, and analyzing this mRNA on Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays. Huang and colleagues have demonstrated distinctive responses to E. coli, influenza and Candida albicans, involving 1330 genes, with an overlapping set of some 166 genes activated in all situations. Such wide variation in dendritic-cell responses must have a significant effect on the characteristics and dynamics of the subsequent immune response. Science (2001) 294, 870–875 CM