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Updated: May 12, 2026
12:48
Purification of the Membrane Compartment for Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation of Exogenous Antigens in Cross-presentation
Published on: August 21, 2017
Antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cell subsets: one general or all sergeants?
Stefan Nierkens1, Jurjen Tel, Edith Janssen
1Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Trends in Immunology
|April 2, 2013
Summary
Antigen cross-presentation is not limited to specialized dendritic cells (DCs). All DC subsets can present antigens, influenced by location, activation, and signals, offering new immunotherapy targets.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Antigen cross-presentation is a key immune process where dendritic cells (DCs) present external antigens on MHC class I molecules.
- Historically, this function was attributed to specific DC subsets, but recent findings challenge this view.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the concept of antigen cross-presentation within the broader dendritic cell family.
- To explore factors influencing the cross-presentation capacity of different DC subsets.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging data on dendritic cell subsets and their functions.
- Analysis of factors modulating antigen uptake and presentation by DCs.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests that antigen cross-presentation is a common capability across various DC subsets, not exclusive to specialized types.
- DC location, activation state, antigen type, and inflammatory signals dynamically regulate cross-presentation efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The capacity for antigen cross-presentation is a shared feature among diverse dendritic cell populations in both mice and humans.
- Understanding these regulatory mechanisms can lead to novel immunotherapeutic strategies targeting DC functions.
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