Immunotherapeutic potential of dendritic cells in multiple sclerosis

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which play a pivotal role in inducing either inflammatory or tolerogenic response based on their subtypes and environmental signals. DCs are critical for initiation and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Induction of tolerogenic DCs (tolDCs) with powerful therapeutic potential has been well - established to combat autoimmune responses in laboratory models and early clinical trials. In contrast to in vitro tolDCs induction, in vivo elicitation by specifically targeting multiple cell - surface receptors has shown greater promise with more advantages. Here, we summarize the role of DCs in governing immune tolerance and in the process of initiating and perpetuating MS. We then highlight the most promising cell-surface receptors expressed on DCs currently being explored as the viable pharmacological targets through antigen delivery to generate tolDCs in vivo, to guide feasible immunotherapeutic strategies.