AbstractDendritic cells synthesize and express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II peptide‐binding elements constitutively and, therefore, belong to the category of professional antigen‐presenting cells. Unlike other cells that show constitutive class II expression, such as B cells and certain T cell clones, dendritic cells possess the unique capacity to activate naive T cells. Using dendritic cells generated in vitro by culture of mouse bone marrow in the presence of low doses of recombinant mouse granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, we found that discrete maturation stages of these cells can be distinguished which were correlated with defined functional capabilities. The striking observation was the presence of a progenitor dendritic cell expressing low levels of class II which, unlike its differentiated counterpart in vitro, possessed pronounced phagocytic activity. Adding protein antigen to dendritic cells in a particle‐adsorbed form, as compared to a soluble form, we demonstrate that phagocytosis of the particle‐adsorbed protein by progenitor dendritic cells involves an activation event. This is evidenced by the de novo synthesis of transcripts of interleukin‐1α and interleukin‐12 p40/p35 as well as transcripts of MHC class II. Most importantly, an augmented and prolonged antigen‐presentation capacity was observed when the antigen was given in particle‐adsorbed instead of soluble form. These findings indicate that progenitor dendritic cells are functionally more flexible and potent than fully differentiated dendritic cells and that they play a crucial role in antigen presentation. It is suggested that these findings will open up new possibilities to devise strategies for vaccine development.