• **Presentation of Antigens**

Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs) are cells that can process a protein antigen, break it into peptides, and present it in conjunction with class II Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the cell surface where it may interact with appropriate T cell receptors. Monocytes and their derivative are professional APCs and are amongst the principal antigen-presenting cells for T cells [23]. Antigen-Presenting Cells are critical for the initiation of adaptive immune responses and for maintenance of peripheral tolerance [24]. Dendritic cells serve as the connection between innate and acquired immunity and morphological characteristics of *C. albicans* dictates the specific immune response [25]. For example, the interaction of dendritic cells with yeast cells or pseudohyphal sensitize different receptors. Therefore, when yeast form of *C. albicans* is engulf by dendritic cells, differentiation of CD4+ cells into T-helper 1 cells is induced, while dendritic cells stimulated by the pseudohyphal form induce a T- helper 2 response. The response produced by

T- helper 1 cells is linked with protection of the host against fungal infection while for T- helper 2, responses are related to the ability of microorganisms to escape or suppress the host's immune response. Nonetheless, T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 responses activate B cells and leads to maturation of other phagocytic cells [23].
