Dendritic cells resurrect antigens from dead cells.
Antigens that do not normally access the cytoplasm of antigen-presenting cells, such as certain tumor and viral antigens, become targets of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Over the past 25 years, substantial evidence has emerged for an 'exogenous' pathway for loading MHC class I molecules. Dendritic cells are potent stimulators of T-cell responses and can induce CD8(+) CTLs by phagocytosis of dead tumor or virus-infected cells. Here, Marie Larsson and colleagues discuss the role of dendritic cells in stimulating MHC class I-restricted T-cell responses by exogenous routes.
Larsson
M
M
The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Fonteneau
J F
JF
Bhardwaj
N
N
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D016923:Cell Death; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I