Murine dendritic cells are mice-derived subsets of immune cells that act as key regulators of the immune response by capturing, processing, and presenting antigens to other immune cells. They are widely used to investigate various aspects of immunology, including antigen presentation, immune activation, and immune tolerance. These cells can be isolated from different tissues, such as the spleen, lymph nodes, or bone marrow, and cultured in vitro for experimental purposes. The cells have unique ability to capture antigens from pathogens or other sources and present them to T cells, which are crucial for initiating an immune response.

Dendritic cells are involved in immune activation as they possess various receptors that allow them to detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Upon recognition of these signals, dendritic cells undergo maturation and migrate to secondary lymphoid organs where they activate T cells. Murine dendritic cells are also utilized to investigate immune tolerance. Dendritic cells play a crucial role in maintaining self-tolerance by inducing regulatory T cell responses and preventing autoimmune reactions.