Dendritic cell (function: Epstein-Barr virus antigen presentation) (DC)

Dendritic cells are professional antigen-presenting cells pivotal for initiating adaptive immune responses against Epstein-Barr virus. In the context of EBV infection, DCs acquire viral antigens (primarily from apoptotic or necrotic B cells), process them, and cross-present them via both MHC class I and II molecules to T cells. This process is critical for the development of EBV-specific T cell immunity, controls EBV-infected B cell outgrowth, and may inform vaccine strategies. DCs are not directly infected by EBV but are essential mediators in recognizing EBV-infected cell debris and orchestrating effective antiviral immunity

Other names

Antigen-presenting dendritic cellEBV antigen-presenting DC

Not applicable as a receptor or molecule; DCs function by capturing EBV antigens (primarily from dying B cells) and presenting them via MHC molecules to naive or memory T cells, initiating immune responses including cytotoxicity and Th1 polarization