Dendritic cells in old age--neglected by gerontology?

Dendritic cells (DC) are known as the most efficient antigen-presenting cell type to activate T cells and are key modulators of the immune response. Due to their central role in immunology, DC have been considered as a useful tool for immunotherapy. They may also compensate failing T cell reactivity in aged persons. Despite numerous recent advances in the molecular and cell biology of DC, only very few groups have addressed the topic of DC and aging. It is the aim of the present contribution to give a short overview on what is known on DC in old age.