Question

Dendritic cells are responsible for activating most T cells. Choose the correct answer for each of the

following:
• They can capture antigens found __________________ (extracellularly, intracellularly, or both).
• They can activate __________________ (CD4, CD8, or both CD4 and CD8) cells.
• They can express __________________ (MHC I, MHC II, or both MHC I and MHC II) proteins.

Answer 1

Dendritic cells can capture antigens found both intracellularly and extracellularly, can activate both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and express both MHC I and MHC II proteins, being versatile in activating the immune response.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dendritic cells play a crucial role in the immune system by capturing, processing, and presenting antigens to T cells. Regarding the student's question:

• They can capture antigens found both extracellularly and intracellularly.
• They can activate both CD4 and CD8 cells.
• They can express both MHC I and MHC II proteins.

Dendritic cells have the unique ability to present antigens to T cells using both classes of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. MHC II molecules are primarily involved in activating CD4+ T cells which become helper T cells. MHC I molecules are involved in the activation of CD8+ T cells, which can differentiate into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) capable of killing infected cells. Naïve T cells express either CD4 or CD8 molecules, which serve as coreceptors to bind with the appropriate MHC molecule presented by the dendritic cells, assisting in the specific activation of T cells.