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accessory cell

noun

: any of various cells in addition to the T cells and B cells that help to generate an immune response
specifically : antigen-presenting cell
T lymphocytes cannot recognize free antigen but are dependent on antigen presentation by accessory cells. Adriano Fontana et al., Nature

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Cite this Entry

“Accessory cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/accessory%20cell. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

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