Dendritic cells are a type of antigen-presenting cell (APC) that form an important role in the adaptive immune system. The main function of dendritic cells is to present antigens and the cells are therefore sometimes referred to as “professional” APCs.
In addition, only the dendritic cells have the capacity to induce a primary immune response in the inactive or resting naïve T lymphocytes. To do this, the dendritic cells capture the antigens from invading bodies, which they process and then present on their cell surface and presented, along with the necessary accessory or co-stimulation molecules.
Dendritic cells also contribute to the function of B cells and help maintain their immune memory. Dendritic producing cytokines and other factors that promote B cell activation and differentiation. After an initial antibody response has occurred due to an invading body, dendritic cells found in the germinal centre of lymph nodes seem to contribute to B cell memory by forming numerous antibody-antigen complexes. This is to provide a long lasting source of antigen that the B cells can take up themselves and present to T cells.