What are 3 changes that occur in dendritic cells once they become ‘activated?’ Solution When the dentritic cell becomes activated, they migrate to the lymph nodes where they interact with T cells and B cells to initiate and shape the adaptive immune response. 1. When the cell comes onto contact with an antigen, they become activated and move into the lymph node. 2. They upregulate cell-surface receptors which act as co-receptors in T-cell activation. This enhances their ability to activate T cells. 3. They upregulate the chemotactic receptor that induces the dendritic cell to travel through the blood stream to the spleen or through the lymphatic system to a lymph node..