Functional Tests on Dendritic Cells

We have previously demonstrated (20) that a novel cell type can be identified in the glass-adherent cell populat ion of mouse peripheral lymphoid organs. I t s most abundan t source is spleen, where it comprises about 1% of the total nucleated cells. The distinctiveness of the dendritic cell was established by morphological criteria. On the basis of phase and electron microscopy, cytochemistry, and cinematography the dendritic cell was clearly differentiated from other previously described components of lymph nodes and spleen. I n this report, we describe several functional tests performed on dendritic cells in vitro which corroborate their novel nature. Dendrit ic cells lack the surface properties of lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes, as well as many of the functions which have been postulated for "reticular cells" in situ.