Comprehensive Phenotyping of Human Dendritic Cells and Monocytes

Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which include dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes are essential for inducing and steering adaptive T-cell responses. Recent technological developments in single-cell analysis have significantly advanced our understanding of APC subset heterogeneity. To accurately resolve this functional diversity and to account for tissue-specific adaptation, novel phenotyping markers have been described more recently. While some of these largely overlap with traditionally used markers, more fine-grained phenotyping might be essential during inflammatory settings, where the traditional distinction between monocytes and dendritic cells has become blurred. Within this phenotype report, we provide a concise overview of traditional and recently described markers for the phenotyping of DCs and monocytes in the human system.

Automated summary

Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes, play vital roles in inducing and guiding adaptive T-cell responses. Recent advancements in single-cell analysis have improved our understanding of APC subset heterogeneity, with novel phenotyping markers helping to accurately resolve functional diversity. This report provides a concise overview of traditional and recently described markers for characterizing DCs and monocytes in the human system.