Dendritic cells are found
in the regions of the lymphatic tissue which contain many T cells. They
have many branches and are the strongest stimulators of the T cell reaction.
Dendritic cells are also important for the rejection of transplants because
they migrate from the site of the transplant to local lymph nodes and
trigger the rejection reaction there. The dendritic cells develop from
precursor cells from the bone marrow. They must not be confused with the
follicular dendritic cells which display antigens to the B cells.
Desensitization: During desensitisation, an allergic patient
is subjected to increasing doses of an antigen in order to inhibit an
allergic reaction. There is probably a shift in the CD4 T cell type
and a consequent change of antibodies from IgE to IgG.
DNA (Desoxyribonucleic acid): The bearer
of genetic information, deoxyribonucleic acid is a component of cells,
bacteria and certain viruses. The building plans are, in a manner of
speaking, stored in the DNA in the form of a double helix.
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