Natural Killer Dendritic Cells Have Both Antigen Presenting and Lytic Function and in Response to CpG Produce IFN-  via Autocrine IL-12 (original) (raw)

Natural Killer Dendritic Cells (NKDC) have been identified as a distinct population that express both NK and dendritic cell markers, enabling them to perform dual functions including antigen presentation and lysis of tumor cells. Upon exposure to CpG and IL-4, NKDC can produce a high level of IFN-γ through autocrine signaling mediated by IL-12. In vivo studies reveal that CpG treatment leads to significant expansion of NKDC, which demonstrate superior antigen-specific T cell activation compared to conventional dendritic cells. These findings highlight the pivotal role of NKDC in bridging innate and adaptive immunity.