Animation of dendritic cell activation. Antigens (brown) are shown entering the body through a skin wound. The irregularly shaped dendritic cell (purple) encounters the antigens in the epidermis. It is shown glowing white as it processes the antigen material and becomes activated. Once activated, branched projections known as 'dendrites' become apparent, the dendritic cell is now presenting antigen material on its surface. The activated dendritic cell will then migrate to the lymphoid tissues where an adaptive immune response will be initiated.