What is the role of dendritic cells in the immune system?

Dendritic cells play a critical role in the immune system primarily through their function in recognizing antigens and activating T cells. These specialized antigen-presenting cells are crucial for initiating and regulating the adaptive immune response.

When dendritic cells encounter pathogens, they capture and process antigens, which are pieces of these pathogens. After processing, dendritic cells migrate to lymph nodes, where they present these antigens on their surface using molecules known as major histocompatibility complex (MHC). This presentation is essential for the activation of T cells. T cells have receptors that specifically recognize the antigen-MHC complexes, which is a fundamental step in the T cell activation process.

Additionally, dendritic cells provide necessary co-stimulatory signals that further enhance T cell activation, leading to a robust adaptive immune response. This process ultimately enables the body to mount a targeted defense against specific pathogens, making dendritic cells integral to the immune system's ability to recognize and respond to infections effectively.

In contrast to the other choices, dendritic cells do not primarily produce antibodies, which is the role of B cells. While they can engulf pathogens, their main function is not phagocytosis but rather antigen presentation. Transportation of oxygen is the function of red blood cells