Dendritic cell markers

Your guide to identifying and studying dendritic cell markers.

Dendritic cells process antigen material and present on the cell surface to T cells.

Cell
Function
Markers
Conventional or myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs)
They originate from the bone marrow and migrate to various tissues. They are involved in the initiation of adaptive immune responses. In humans, myeloid (or conventional) DCs (mDCs) are presented by two main subpopulations including CD1c/BDCA-1 + cells and CD141/BDCA-3+ cells that account for ∼50% and 5–10% of a total peripheral DC population respectively.
CD11c, HLA-DR
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs)
They originate from the lymphoid organs and the bone marrow. They produce large amounts of interferons and are involved in antiviral immunity.
CD11c, CD123
Langerhans cells
The dendritic cells of the skin. They capture antigens and transport them to the lymph nodes.
CD1a, CD207
Interdigitating dendritic cells
Located in the germinal centers of the lymph nodes and the spleen. They present antigens to B lymphocytes and help them to produce antibodies.
CD68
Follicular dendritic cells
Located in in the interstitial spaces of various organs. They have a low level of maturation and present antigens to T lymphocytes
CD1a, CD21, CD23, CD207

CD1a

Mediates the presentation of lipid and glycolipid antigens to T-cells.

We recommend

Browse all CD1a antibodies

Download the human CD markers chart

CD11c

Alternative names Integrin alpha-X, ITGAX, SLEB6

Cell adhesion. Gatekeeper for lymphocyte trafficking.

We recommend

Browse all CD11c antibodies

CD21

Alternative names Complement receptor type 2, CR2, C3DR, Complement C3d receptor, Epstein-Barr virus receptor

Signal transduction. Receptor for complement components C3Dd and iC3b as well as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) glycoprotein gp350/220..

We recommend

Anti-CD21 antibody [EPR27369-9] (ab315160)

CD23

Alternative names Low affinity immunoglobulin epsilon Fc receptor, Fc epsilon RII, FCER2, CLEC4J

Low affinity receptor for IgE, ligand for CD19, CD21 and CD81. Essential for B-cell growth and differentiation. In soluble form, functions as mitogenic growth factor.

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Browse all CD23 antibodies

CD68

Alternative names SCARD1, KP1

Specific marker for tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Positive cells infiltrate tumors which reflects severity. Binds to tissue- and organ-specific lectins or selectins, allowing homing of macrophage subsets to particular sites. Possible role in phagocytic activities of tissue macrophages. May allow macrophages to crawl over selectin-bearing substrates or other cells.

We recommend

Anti-CD68 antibody [SP251] (ab192847)

Anti-CD68 antibody [KP1], prediluted (ab845)

CD123

Alternative names IL3RA

Receptor for IL3. Associates with the GM-CSF receptor. Involved in normal cell development.

We recommend

Browse all CD123 antibodies

CD207

Alternative names Langerin, CLEC4K

Binds mannose which may lead to the internalization of antigen and provide access to nonclassical antigen-processing pathway.

We recommend

Browse all CD207 antibodies

HLA-DR

We recommend

Anti-HLA-DR antibody [EPR3692] (ab215985)

Further reading

See the references below for a list of relevant reviews.

References

View 2 references for Further reading

References

Further reading

Novershtern, N., et al. Densely interconnected transcriptional circuits control cell states in human hematopoiesis  Cell   144 ,296-309 (2011)

Merad, M., Sathe, P., Helft, J., et al. The dendritic cell lineage: ontogeny and function of dendritic cells and their subsets in the steady-state and the inflamed setting  Annu. Rev. Immunol.   31 ,563-604 (2013)