Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial players within the immune system and are therefore abundant throughout the body. To achieve the variety of highly specialized DC subsets found in mammals, DC progenitor cells undergo a complex process of development and differentiation. The first divergence of different DC lineages occurs already during embryonic development, when Langerhans cells (LCs) are established by fetal liver hematopoiesis. Meanwhile, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow give rise to DCs populating the blood and lymphoid organs. This chapter will provide an overview of both developmental pathways, distinguishing surface markers and key transcription factors.
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