- The dendritic cell is the key immune cell that acts as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems.
- It captures antigens from pathogens during the innate response and then presents these antigens on its surface to T lymphocytes, initiating the adaptive immune response.
- This antigen presentation activates T cells, leading to a tailored and specific immune defense.
- Other cells like neutrophils and natural killer cells mainly participate in innate immunity, while B lymphocytes function in the adaptive phase without direct involvement in antigen presentation to T cells.

Reference: Janeway's Immunobiology, 9th Edition, Chapter 8