dendritic cells

Question 1

describe the main function of Dendritic Cells(DCs)

Answer 1

they are the bridge between the innate and acquired immune response, main function is to process and present antigens on their surface to T cells

Question 2

describe the difference between DCs in non-inflamed tissues compared to infected/inflamed tissues

Answer 2

normal/non-inflamed tissue = immature state
infected/inflamed tissue = start to mature in presence of pro-inflammatory mediators(TNF alpha), they begin to recognise and phagocytose antigenic debris

Question 3

describe the action of dendritic cells, in 4 steps

Answer 3

1- particles and antigens derived from pathigens are released by phagocytes
2- DCs phagocytose pathogen-derived particles and antigens
3- pro-inflammatory TNF alpha stimulates tissue-resident DCs, increase expression of co-stimulatory molecules
4- DCs digest ingested proteins and display small peptides derived from these on their surface in complex with MHC proteins