MY SATURDAY AT THE FACILITY

Hello everyone.  Today was my first shot with the dendritic cells.  The chemist took blood from me last week and multipled them to fight the bad cancer cells.

Here is a brief summary of what takes place :

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a kind of the immune cells and as such it forms the part of the mammalian immune system. As far as the main process is concerned I must say that its main job is to process the antigen material and current it on the surface to other cells of the immune system, thus functioning as antigen-presenting cells.

The dendretic cells are present in the small quantities in the tissues that are in contact with the external environment which is mainly the skin and the inner lining of the stomach, lungs, nose and the intestine. We can also find them in the immature state of the blood.

As soon as they are activated they move to the lymphoid tissues where they react with the T cell and the B cells to initiate and shape the adaptive immune response. At definite expansion stages they grow branched projections, the dendrites that give the cell its name. However, these do not have any particular relation with neurons, which also have similar appendages. Undeveloped dendritic cells are also called veiled cells, in which case they possess large cytoplasmic ‘veils’ rather than dendrites.

History

Dendritic cells were first described by Paul Langerhans (Langerhans cells) in the late nineteenth century. It wasn’t until 1973, on the other hand, that the term “dendritic cells” was given by Ralph M. Steinman and Zanvil A. Cohn. In 2007 Steinman has been awarded the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research for his discovery.

Types of Dendritic cells

There are generally two kinds of the dendritic cells. I must say that the two kind of the dendritic cells are myeloid and plasmacytoid which is also called the lymphoid.
I would at first like to discuss the myeloid dendritic cells.
1. Myeloid dendritic cells
These are most similar to the monocytes. The MDC are made up of two subsets:

• The more common mDC-1, which is a major stimulator of T cells.
• The extremely rare mDC-2, which may have a function in fighting wound infection.

2. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells
These look like the plasma cells but have the certain characteristic of the myeloid dendritic cells.

• Characteristic of the immature dendritic cells
• High intracellular MHC II in the form of MIICs.
• Expression of CD1a.
• Active endocytosis for certain particulates and proteins; presence of FcgR and active phagocytosis.
• Deficient T cell sensitization in vitro.
• Low/absent adhesive and costimulatory molecules (CD40/54/58/80/86).
• Low/absent CD25, CD83, p55, DEC-205, 2A1antigen.
• Responsive to GM-CSF, but not M-CSF and G-CSF.
• Maturation inhibited by IL-10.

Similarly there are some characteristic of the mature dendritic cells and I must tell you that these cells are really of great importance.

This time around in Tijuana, Dan and I have taken the free time before and after my treatments to see the sites.  I even had my hair cut the other day in one of the beauty salons in one of the malls not far from our hotel.  It was an adventure to go into a place and ask for your hair cut, while speaking another Language, but it was done.  Here is the new me!

The other day was a special day for Ana, Dan and I  for we were able to spend some time and had lunch together in the cafe.  We all had leg of lamb Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm were they good.  After the chef ~ Daniel came in and asked if we have been pleased with the food.  I would rate his dishes as a five star.  Its organic and everyday something different, Its a surprise.  Here is a picture of Daniel , Ana , Dan and I.

  

Its the week end ~ be safe and enjoy.