antigen-presenting cell

antigen-presenting cell

n.

A cell, originating in the bone marrow and subsequently found as a dendritic cell in various locations, that facilitates the immune response by holding antigens on its surface and presenting them to lymphocytes.

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antigen-presenting cell,

a cell that can break down protein antigens into peptides and present the peptides, in conjunction with major HLA complex class II molecules, on the cell surface, where they can interact with T cell receptors. Macrophages are one type of antigen-presenting cell.