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glossary:dendritic_cell [2012/10/16 14:40] (current)
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 +A special type of cell that is a key regulator of the [[immune system]], acting as a professional [[antigen]]-presenting [[cell]] (APC) capable of activating naïve [[T cell]]s and stimulating the growth and differentiation of B cells. ​
 +Dendritic cells are found, for example, in the [[lymph nodes]] and [[spleen]]. As an APC, a dendritic cell can retain antigen for long periods on its surface, present the [[antigen]] to a [[glossary: T cell|T]] or [[B cell]] and so influence their behavior. ​
 +The word "​dendritic"​ means "​branched like a tree." It comes from the Greek "​dendron"​ (tree).
glossary/dendritic_cell.txt · Last modified: 2012/10/16 14:40 (external edit)