Studying MHC class II transport in dendritic cells

Professional antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, are effective in activating T lymphocytes due to their unique ability to present antigens in the context of both MHC class I and II molecules. After successful loading with antigenic peptides MHC class II molecules traffic from the late endosomal loading compartment to the plasma membrane to exert their function of presenting peptides to T helper lymphocytes. Various processes play a role in this event, which are only partly understood to date. The following protocols demonstrate a strategy of how to integrate high throughput datasets to select candidates possibly involved in MHC class II transport for in depth studies. A combination of proteomics, RNA interference and biochemical experimentation can uncover novel pathways regulating transport processes in primary dendritic cells.