Dendritic cell, SEM
by Science Photo Library
Title
Dendritic cell, SEM
Artist
Science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Dendritic cell. Coloured ion-abrasion scanning electron micrograph (IA-SEM) showing sheet-like cellular extensions on a dendritic cell. These extensions trap HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) particles, aiding their spread through the body. Dendritic cells are a component of the body's immune system. They are antigen-presenting cells (APCs), that is, they present pathogens or foreign molecules (antigens) to other cells of the immune system to be eliminated. HIV uses the body's defences against itself. When dendritic cells interact with T cells, HIV is transmitted to the T cells, infecting them. IA-SEM allows nanoscale three dimensional imaging of whole cells.
Uploaded
March 6th, 2014
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Comments (58)
Donald Bliss
Science Photo Library did not make this image, I did. I made this after studying IA-SEM stacks from the National Cancer Institute at NIH. It is copyright free and can be used by anyone, but at least you could attribute the image to the correct artist.