Ralph M. Steinman's 2012 review discusses the history, current state, and future of dendritic cell research. He outlines the key decisions and discoveries that have shaped the field, emphasizing the role of dendritic cells in initiating antigen-specific immunity and tolerance. Steinman highlights the importance of dendritic cell maturation in linking innate and adaptive immunity, and the development of antigen uptake receptors that enable targeted antigen delivery and new vaccine strategies. He also discusses the discovery of dendritic cells as a distinct lineage from macrophages, their role in immune responses, and the identification of key molecules like DEC-205 that facilitate antigen presentation. The review covers the development of dendritic cell-based vaccines, the importance of dendritic cell subsets, and the potential for using dendritic cells in immunotherapy. Steinman emphasizes the need for further research to understand the mechanisms of dendritic cell function and to develop more effective therapies for diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, and transplantation. The review also addresses the challenges in dendritic cell research, including the need for better tools and methods to study these cells in vivo. Overall, the review provides a comprehensive overview of the field of dendritic cell research and its potential for future applications in immunology and medicine.Ralph M. Steinman's 2012 review discusses the history, current state, and future of dendritic cell research. He outlines the key decisions and discoveries that have shaped the field, emphasizing the role of dendritic cells in initiating antigen-specific immunity and tolerance. Steinman highlights the importance of dendritic cell maturation in linking innate and adaptive immunity, and the development of antigen uptake receptors that enable targeted antigen delivery and new vaccine strategies. He also discusses the discovery of dendritic cells as a distinct lineage from macrophages, their role in immune responses, and the identification of key molecules like DEC-205 that facilitate antigen presentation. The review covers the development of dendritic cell-based vaccines, the importance of dendritic cell subsets, and the potential for using dendritic cells in immunotherapy. Steinman emphasizes the need for further research to understand the mechanisms of dendritic cell function and to develop more effective therapies for diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, and transplantation. The review also addresses the challenges in dendritic cell research, including the need for better tools and methods to study these cells in vivo. Overall, the review provides a comprehensive overview of the field of dendritic cell research and its potential for future applications in immunology and medicine.