Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells crucial for the initiation and coordination of primary adaptive immune responses. Immature DCs (iDCs) express low levels of MHC class II and co-stimulatory molecules such as CD80, CD86, and CD40, with high phagocytic capacity and limited ability to induce antigen-specific T cell activation. DC maturation is associated with up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules and cytokine production, rendering the DCs competent in T cell activation and the elicitation of an immune response. DC function and...
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