Janus cells, or JCs for short, are a newly discovered type of immune cell that play a role in the body's immune response. They are a subset of extrathymic Aire-expressing cells (eTACs) that are migratory dendritic cells (DCs) with some characteristics of ILC3s, such as RORγt expression.
Key features of Janus cells:
- Migratory dendritic cells: They travel throughout the body, picking up antigens and presenting them to other immune cells.
- RORγt expression: This transcription factor is also found in ILC3s, a type of innate lymphoid cell that helps regulate immune responses.
- AIRE expression: They express the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene, which helps regulate immune tolerance by presenting self-antigens to T cells in the thymus.
Role in immune tolerance:
Janus cells contribute to immune tolerance by:
- Presenting self-antigens to T cells: This helps prevent the immune system from attacking the body's own tissues.
- Generating regulatory T cells (Tregs): Tregs help suppress immune responses and maintain tolerance.
Discovery:
Janus cells were first identified by researchers at the Gardner Lab at UCSF.
Further research:
Researchers are continuing to study Janus cells to better understand their role in immune regulation and their potential as therapeutic targets.
