the most immune-stimulating cells in the human body, occurring naturally in tissues that contact the exterior environment: in the skin and the lining of nose, lungs, stomach, and intestines; they get their name from their long tentacle-like arms, called dendrites, and form from circulating monocytes; they function as antigen-presenting cells and attract invading viruses and bacteria, then cut those proteins into short, linear peptide pieces (see epitope), and carry the fragments on their surfaces (enmeshed in their tentacles) through the blood stream to lymph nodes to activate B cells, helper T cells, and CTLs; only dendritic cells can activate a helper T cell that has never before encountered a particular antigen before. (see: epitope)
cells that process antigens (proteins) and present them to immune lymphocytes called T cells playing a major role in the initiation of the immune response against tumor and other types of abnormal cells; antigen presenting cells; e.g. Provenge® is an investigational therapy employing DC
The immune system's first line of defense, they are usually found in the linings of the throat and mouth. Cells that work in conjunction with macrophages.
A heterogeneous group of nonphagocytic lymph node cells, which have an irregular shape with numerous branching processes and an inconspicuous complement of cell organelles.
Patrolling immune system cells that may begin the HIV disease process by carrying the virus from the site of the infection to the lymph nodes, where other immune cells become infected. Dendritic cells travel through the body and bind to foreign invaders -- such as HIV -- especially in external tissues, such as the skin and the membranes of the gut, lungs, and reproductive tract. They then ferry the foreign substance to the lymph nodes to stimulate T cells and initiate an immune response. In laboratory experiments, the dendritic cells that carry HIV also bind to CD4+ T cells, thereby allowing HIV to infect the CD4+ T cells. CD4+ T cells are the primary immune system cells targeted by HIV and depleted during HIV infection.
Immune cells that capture and absorb many types of foreign antigens and also activate T cells.
A white blood cell that is bone-marrow derived and specializes in presenting antigen to T cells.
Large immune system cell that patrols the body for pathogens (germs). They carry the pathogen (in this case HIV) to the lymph nodes to stimulate T cells and initiate an immune response. They may also be responsible for carrying virus to CD4 cells and help cause infection. Dendritic cells are found mostly in external tissues, such as the skin and lining of the gut, lungs and reproductive tract.
These cells function to obtain antigen in tissues, they then migrate to lymphoid organs and activate T cells. They are required for a specific immune response.
immune system cells with long, tentacle-like branches. Some of these are specialized cells at the mucosa that may bind to HIV following sexual exposure and carry the virus from the site of infection to the lymph nodes. See also follicular dendritic cells.
Specialized cells that capture foreign antigens and present these antigens (i.e. antigen presenting cells) to other cells of the immune system.
White blood cells found in the spleen and other lymphoid organs. Dendritic cells typically use threadlike tentacles to enmesh antigen, which they present to T cells.
Antigen-presenting cells with a branched structure
Immune system cells that may initiate HIV infection by carrying the virus from the site of the infection to the lymph nodes, where other cells, such as CD4 T-cells, become infected. Dendritic cells circulate through the body and bind to infectious agents in tissues, such as the skin and membranes lining the intestinal tract, lungs, and reproductive tract. Once in contact with CD4 T-cells they initiate an immune response to the virus.
Dendritic cells are cells with long finger-like processes (dendrites), and include melanocytes, Langerhans cells and some tissue macrophages (immune cells).
A set of cells present in tissues, which capture antigens and migrate to the lymph nodes and spleen, where they are particularly active in presenting the processed antigen to T cells. Dendritic cells can be derived from either the lymphoid or mononuclear phagocyte lineages.
