Accessory cell

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-000102",
  "term": "Accessory cell",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A cell that assists the adaptive immune response without itself mediating specific antigen recognition. Macrophages and dendritic cells are typical examples: they take up and process antigen, present peptide fragments on MHC molecules to T lymphocytes, and supply the costimulatory signals needed to activate naive T cells. B cells also present antigen but carry antigen-specific receptors, which sets them apart from accessory cells.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "natural killer cell",
    "adaptive immune response",
    "antigen-presenting cell",
    "dendritic cell",
    "mast cell",
    "phagocyte"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2012, 84, 1113. 'IUPAC glossary of terms used in immunotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)' on page 1116 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-11-06-03)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/accessory-cell/"
}