The local environment in which dendritic cells (DC) differentiate is important for the acquisition of their immunostimulatory properties. Since prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)), a major prostanoid produced during inflammatory reactions, is involved in the control of immune responses, its effect on the differentiation and functions of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) was studied. We show that DC differentiated in the presence of PGD(2) (PG/DC) have an unusual phenotype, with modifications in the expression of molecules involved in antigen (Ag) capture and presentation, leading to higher endocytic and Ag-processing activities. However, under conditions that necessitated Ag processing and presentation, PG/DC have an impaired ability to stimulate naive T cells, whereas superAg-pulsed DC efficiently promote their proliferation. Upon lipopolysaccharide or TNF-alpha/IL-1beta stimulation, PG/DC phenotypically mature but produce abnormal amounts of immunoregulatory cytokines (decreased IL-12p70/IL-10 ratio). Moreover, mature PG/DC fail to up-regulate the chemokine receptor CCR7 and show an impaired migration towards its ligand CCL19. Finally, PG/DC favor the differentiation of naive T cells toward Th2 cells, an effect dependent on IL-10 and inducible costimulator ligand expression by DC. Most of the herein described effects of PGD(2) on MDDC can be reproduced, usually with a higher efficacy, with a selective D prostanoid receptor (DP)1, but not DP2, agonist. Taken as a whole, these results demonstrate that PGD(2) impacts DC differentiation and functions, and extend the concept that it exerts important roles in immunity.