What role do dendritic cells play in the immune response?

Dendritic cells are crucial players in the immune response due to their ability to capture antigens from pathogens and present these antigens to T cells. This process is fundamental for initiating and shaping adaptive immune responses. Dendritic cells are strategically located at the interface between the innate and adaptive immune systems, often found in tissues that are in contact with the external environment, such as the skin and mucosal surfaces.

When they capture pathogens, dendritic cells process the antigens and display fragments of these antigens on their surface bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. When T cells encounter these MHC-antigen complexes, it leads to the activation of T cells, which is essential for orchestrating a tailored immune response. This includes the proliferation of T cells and the differentiation into various subsets that can directly target infected cells or help coordinate other aspects of the immune response, such as B cell activation for antibody production.

The other roles mentioned in the choices reflect functions of different immune cells. For example, directly killing infected cells is primarily the function of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, while antibody production is the role of B cells. The secretion of hormones that regulate blood immunity is associated more with various cytokines