Dendritic cells are a diverse group of professional antigen-presenting cells responsible for sensing danger signals, including cancer cells, throughout our body.

Upon activation dendritic cells are capable of presenting pathogenic antigens to cells of the adaptive immune system, including CD8⁺ T cells. Studies have illustrated that dendritic cells, in particular a subset of dendritic cells driven by the transcription factor BATF3, can sense developing tumors and can activate tumor-specific CD8⁺ T cells within the tumor-draining lymph node. Importantly, dendritic cells are also found within the tumor microenvironment but their contribution to the local immune environment is poorly understood. By using preclinical mouse models we aim to address the role of dendritic cells for maintaining a local anti-tumor immune response and whether therapeutic interventions targeting dendritic cells can enhance sensitivity towards checkpoint blockade.

Dendritic cells interaction with tumor cells
Dendritic cells, marked by Pham-expression (CD11c-Cre x Pham^fl/fl), within the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells (MC38) marked with cerulean fluorescent protein (blue). 25x emulsion lens, Leica SP6, 24 hours post tumor implantation.