Antigen-presenting cells primarily activate which type of immune cell?

Prepare for the AAB Medical Technologist (MT) Generalist Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your understanding. Get exam-ready now!

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a crucial role in the immune response by processing and presenting antigens to T-cells. This process involves the uptake of pathogens or foreign molecules by the APCs, which then break down these antigens and display them on their surface using Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules.

When T-cells, specifically CD4+ helper T-cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells, encounter these antigen-MHC complexes, they become activated. This activation leads to a cascade of immune responses, including the proliferation of T-cells and the coordination of other components of the immune system to effectively combat the infection or foreign substance.

While B-cells are also part of the adaptive immune response and can be activated by different mechanisms, such as binding to free antigens or through helper T-cell assistance, their activation does not primarily rely on APCs in the same direct manner as T-cells. Natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system and activate independently of antigen presentation. Macrophages, although they can act as antigen-presenting cells, are themselves activated by interactions with T-cells rather than being the main focus of APC functions. Therefore, T-cells are

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