Antigen Presenting Cells

Antigen-presenting cells (APC) are specialized white blood cells that display foreign antigen complexes with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on their surfaces. T-cells may recognize these complexes using their T-cell receptors (TCRs). These cells process antigens and present them to T-cells.
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Mode of action
First, the APC engulfs the antigen. Enzymes inside the APC break down the antigen into smaller particles. The processed antigens are transported to the surface of the APC, bound with either an MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I or class II molecule.

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in MHC Antigen processing -II

 This complex forms epitopes (part of a foreign substance that can be recognized by the immune system), which the T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizes and binds to.

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Types
The APCs are divided into two categories professional and non-professional APCs.

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Professional APCs
Professional APCs express MHC class II . Only professional APCs are able to activate a helper T-cell that has never encountered its antigen before. There are three main types of professional antigen-presenting cells macrophages, dendritic cells and B-cells.
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Antigen-Presenting Cells Antigen-Presenting Cells

 These cells are able to engulf the antigen quickly during a process called phagocytosis. Once the T-cell recognizes and binds to the MHC molecule complex, the APC sends out an additional co-stimulatory signal to activate the T-cell.

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non-professional APCs
non-professional APCs express MHC class I Non-professional APCs include fibroblasts (skin cells), thymic epithelial cells, thyroid epithelial cells, glial cells (brain cells), pancreatic beta cells and vascular endothelial cells.
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 While almost every cell in the body is technically an APC because they can present antigens to T-cells,

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Macrophages
Macrophages are white blood cells that are found inside the tissues of all vertebrates. These cells originate from monocytes in the bone marrow.

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 Macrophages are phagocytes, which means they are able to engulf antigens that enter the body. The lifespan of macrophages ranges from months to years, and they can digest more than 100 bacteria before they die.

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 Macrophages are in a resting state until they are activated by an immune response. Upon activation, these cells travel toward the site of injury, and they engulf pathogens. Once a macrophage ingests a pathogen, the pathogen is trapped inside the cell's food vacuole, which then fuses with a lysosome.

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 Enzymes and toxic peroxides inside the cell start to ingest the foreign substance. The cells then secrete interferons, lysozyme and other factors that stimulate lymphocytes and other immune cells to respond to the antigens.

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(3) Antigen processing and presentation by macrophages

Dendritic Cells
Dendritic cells are present in small amounts in the body tissues that frequently come into contact with the external environment. They are present in the skin (where they are often called langerhans cells) and the inner lining of the nose, stomach, lungs and intestines. These cells have branched projections, called dendrites.
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 Immature dendritic cells (also called veiled cells) are found in the bloodstream. Immature dendritic cells are characterized by high endocytic activity and low T-cell activation potential. Their pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are constantly sampling their surroundings for pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses.
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 Once the dendritic cell comes into contact with a pathogen, they are activated to engulf the invading substance. Once the antigen is engulfed, the dendritic cell matures and combines the broken down antigen with MHC. This complex is then presented to T-cells on its cell surface.
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(4) Antigen processing and presentation by DCs

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B-Cells
Unlike the other two APCs, they produce antibodies (immunoglobulin) that are specific to certain antigens.

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 B-cells are continually produced in the bone marrow. Once the B-cell reaches maturity, it can express both IgM and IgD on the cell surface. This mature cell is now able to respond to antigens.

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 Once the immunoglobulin molecule interacts with an antigen, the B-cell becomes activated and begins to divide and differentiate into many antibody-producing cells (plasma cells). Each plasma cell secretes millions of identical antibody molecules, which are released into the bloodstream.

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