Since their identification as the natural interferon-producing cell two decades ago, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been attributed diverse functions in the immune response. Their most well characterized function is innate, i.e., their rapid and robust production of type-I interferon (IFN-I) in response to viruses. However, pDCs have also been implicated in antigen presentation, activation of adaptive immune responses and immunoregulation. The mechanisms by which pDCs enact these diverse functions are poorly understood. One central debate is whether these functions are carried out by different pDC subpopulations or by plasticity in the pDC compartment. This chapter summarizes the latest reports regarding pDC function, heterogeneity, cell conversion and environmentally influenced plasticity, as well as the role of pDCs in infection, autoimmunity and cancer.

中文翻译：

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多功能浆细胞样树突状细胞：功能，异质性和可塑性。

自从20年前将其鉴定为天然干扰素产生细胞以来，浆细胞样树突状细胞（pDC）在免疫应答中被赋予了多种功能。它们最充分表征的功能是先天的，即它们响应病毒对I型干扰素（IFN-I）的快速稳定产生。但是，pDC也与抗原呈递，适应性免疫应答的激活和免疫调节有关。pDC实现这些不同功能的机制了解甚少。一个主要的辩论是这些功能是通过不同的pDC亚群还是通过pDC隔室中的可塑性实现的。本章总结了有关pDC功能，异质性，细胞转化和受环境影响的可塑性的最新报道，以及pDC在感染中的作用，