It was recently proposed that cells of the dendritic family not only control immunity but also
maintain tolerance to self-antigens, two complementary functions that would ensure the
integrity of the organism in an environment full of pathogens. As they express a variety of
receptors that specifically recognize microbial products, DCs are able to discriminate
between self and nonself and may therefore enable the immune system to mount potent
effector activity to pathogens while silencing self-reactive lymphocytes.