In: Biology
what is an antigen-presenting cell and what role does this type of cell play in an immune response?
An antigen-presenting cell (APC) or accessory cell is the cell that displays antigen complexed with major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) on their surfaces. This process is called as antigen presentation.
T cells are able to recognize these complexes using their T cell receptors (TCRs). These cells are able to process antigens and present them to T-cells. Antigen-presenting cells are a heterogeneous group of immune cells that are responsible to mediate the cellular immune response by processing and presenting antigens for the recognition by certain lymphocytes such as T cells.