What is the primary function of dendritic cells in the immune response?

Dendritic cells play a crucial role in the immune system primarily through their function in antigen presentation. These cells act as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune responses. They are able to capture, process, and present antigens from pathogens to T cells, which is essential for the activation of the adaptive immune response.

When dendritic cells encounter a pathogen, they ingest and process the antigens derived from that pathogen. They then migrate to the lymph nodes, where they present the processed antigens on their surface using major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. This presentation is critical, as it is the primary way T cells are activated. By showing these antigens to T cells, dendritic cells facilitate the recognition of pathogens, leading to a tailored immune response involving the proliferation and differentiation of T cells.

While dendritic cells can be involved in phagocytosis, their overarching and defining role is in antigen presentation, which triggers T cell activation. Histamine release is typically associated with mast cells and basophils rather than dendritic cells. Though dendritic cells do play a role in activating T cells, their primary function remains focused on presenting antigens to these immune cells. Therefore, the ability of dendritic cells to present ant