Outside looking in: the inner workings of the cross-presentation pathway within dendritic cells.
The entry of exogenous antigen into the MHC class I-restricted cross-presentation pathway can contribute to CD8(+) T cell tolerance and immunity, in particular to peripheral self-antigens or selected viruses and bacteria showing restricted tissue tropism. Dendritic cells are the key cross-presenting cells and, as such, they are thought to carry specialized machinery dedicated to this purpose. Two recent papers describe intracellular components tailored to the dendritic cell cross-presentation pathway.
Villadangos
Jose A
JA
Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3050, Australia.
Heath
William R
WR
Carbone
Francis R
FR
D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D045142:Cross-Priming / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000276:immunology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*