Antigen-presenting cells and anti-Salmonella immunity

The present article summarizes studies aimed at addressing the role of antigen-presenting cell populations, particularly dendritic cells (DC), in the immune response to Salmonella typhimurium, Data from in vitro studies shed light on presentation of antigens expressed in Salmonella on major histocompatibility complex class I and class II molecules by infected DC and macrophages, and the activation state of DC following infection. Finally, data from in vivo studies addressing the role of DC and defined DC subsets during the host response to Salmonella using a murine infection model are discussed. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.