Abstract
More than three decades ago, the presence of dendritic cells (DCs) was described in the nasal mucosa. From then on, there was a gradual increase of knowledge on the basic aspects of DC function. DCs in the airways sample the airway lumen for incoming antigen and present it to the various players of the immune system subsequently, so that an optimal response is induced to clear pathogens. The enormous interest of immunologists in the role that DCs play in the induction and regulation of immune responses is currently beginning to integrate into the framework of disease pathogenesis. DCs have been implicated in causing allergic sensitization as well as ongoing allergic inflammation. DCs play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of allergic rhinitis (AR). The depletion of DCs in AR abrogates the features of AR. Consequently, DCs and several molecules on DCs are ideal targets for therapeutic intervention.