Apoptosis, cross-presentation, and the fate of the antigen specific immune response

Induction of cell death by apoptosis, also called programmed cell death, and clearance of apoptotic bodies by scavenger cells has long thought to be an efficient means to dispose of unwanted cells without causing inflammatory responses able to mediate specific reactions. However, a number of evidences have been accumulated suggesting that apoptotic cell death is implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic and organ specific autoimmune diseases. In addition, recognition and engulfement of apoptotic cells by professional antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, and their interaction with effector immune cells have been recently described to result in apoptotic cell-derived antigen specific tolerance. This review will summarise the most recent findings on the immunogenic potential of cells undergoing programmed death.