This study concerns three central aspects of multiculturalism, which are closely related to fundamental debates on citizenship and are described as the principal dimensions of multicultural... Show moreThis study concerns three central aspects of multiculturalism, which are closely related to fundamental debates on citizenship and are described as the principal dimensions of multicultural citizenship. The first of these dimensions relates to national belonging: the recognition that citizens of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds belong to the national group. The second dimension bears upon social equality, on grounds such as ethnic origin, religion, gender and sexual orientation. The third dimension is the most defining aspect of multiculturalism: the recognition of cultural distinctiveness of the various groups in society, which is considered necessary (by proponents of multiculturalism) to achieve citizen equality. This study explores views in Dutch society on these potentially divisive issues. Essentially, this study provides insight into the question to which extent society attributes the quality ‘Dutch’ to Dutch citizens from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Show less
Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells (APCs) which play a key role in the regulation of immune responses. DCs are often referred to as __professional__ APCs, since their primary... Show moreDendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells (APCs) which play a key role in the regulation of immune responses. DCs are often referred to as __professional__ APCs, since their primary function is to present antigens from pathogens or malignant cells. Consequently, there is a great deal of interest in how DCs might be exploited as a form of immunotherapy e.g. to induce immunity to cancers. However, DCs are also thought to play an important role in directing regulatory immune responses to innocuous antigens, which are targeted in autoimmune disease or during transplantation. Soluble factors secreted by DCs are crucial mediators in determining this balance between the immunogenic and regulatory arms of the immune system. One such group of factors is cytokines and one family which is gaining increasing attention is the IL-12 family. It is composed of four members; two are immunogenic and their expression has been very well characterised in DCs. The other two are regulatory, but relatively little is known about their regulation and expression in DC populations. In this thesis we aim to give a comprehensive overview of the expression and regulation of IL-12 family members in human DCs, with a particularly emphasis on IL-12, IL-27 and IL-35. Show less
