title: Cross-presentation of antigens by dendritic cells.
abstract: T lymphocytes recognize antigen presented on the surface of antigen-presenting cells byMHC class I and class II molecules. Classically, MHC class I molecules present self- or pathogen-derived antigens that are synthesized within the cell, whereas exogenous antigens derived via endocytic uptake are loaded onto MHC class II molecules for presentation to CD4+ T cells. It is becoming increasingly clear that some dendritic cells are also specialized to process exogenous antigens into the MHC class I pathway for presentation to CD8+ T cells. This process is known as cross-presentation. It provides a mechanism that can drive dendritic cells to generate either tolerance to self-antigens or immunity to pathogens. The cells responsible for, and mechanisms underlying, this decision between tolerance and immunity via cross-presentation has become the focus of intense study to determine how various dendritic cell subsets effect the different outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunology, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia. belz@wehi.edu.au
authors.forename: Gabrielle T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Belz
authors.forename: Francis R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Heath
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000956:Antigens, Viral