Dendritic cells and complement: at the cross road of innate and adaptive immunity

The interaction between different components of the immune system plays a pivotal role in the overall development of immune responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) and complement are essential components of innate immunity. They have been shown to be relevant both in the induction of adaptive immune responses and in maintenance of tolerance. However, hyperactivity of these systems has also been demonstrated to be detrimental in various disease states. Despite increased insight into dendritic cell biology, relatively little is known about possible interactions between dendritic cells and complement. This review focuses on novel findings, which have started to shed light on these intriguing components of the innate immune system.