Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
12:48
Purification of the Membrane Compartment for Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation of Exogenous Antigens in Cross-presentation
Published on: August 21, 2017
8.7K
Live Long and Prosper for Antigen Cross-Presentation
1Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Immunity
|December 20, 2015
Summary
Maturing dendritic cells prevent phagosome-lysosome fusion, extending antigen survival. This separation enhances antigen presentation for a stronger immune response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Rapid degradation of endocytosed antigens by proteolysis limits their availability for cross-presentation.
- Cross-presentation is a critical process for initiating adaptive immune responses, particularly T cell activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms by which dendritic cells regulate antigen processing for cross-presentation.
- To understand how the spatial separation of phagosomes and lysosomes impacts antigen longevity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized advanced microscopy techniques to visualize phagosome-lysosome dynamics in dendritic cells.
- Employed biochemical assays to assess antigen degradation rates and cross-presentation efficiency.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that maturing dendritic cells actively maintain a physical distance between phagosomes and lysosomes.
- Showed that this separation significantly prolongs the half-life of endocytosed antigens within dendritic cells.
- Linked prolonged antigen survival to enhanced cross-presentation capacity.
Conclusions:
- The spatial segregation of phagosomes and lysosomes is a key regulatory mechanism in dendritic cells.
- This mechanism optimizes antigen presentation, leading to more effective T cell priming and immune responses.
Related Concept Videos
00:42Cross-reactivity
33.8K
Overview
33.8K
01:26Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
1.8K
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
1.8K
01:22Antigen Presenting Cells
4.3K
The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that protects the body from foreign invaders. T cells, a type of white blood cell, play a crucial role in this process. They recognize and attack foreign substances, such as pathogens, that enter the body.
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
4.3K
01:31Antigen Processing Pathways
3.0K
MHC molecules are key players in the immune response, enabling T cells to recognize and respond to specific antigens. They are present on the surface of all nucleated cells in the body and are instrumental in presenting antigens to T cells and activating them. T cells recognize the MHC-antigen complex and initiate an immune response. MHC class I and MHC class II are two main types of MHC molecules, each associated with a distinct antigen processing pathway.
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
3.0K
01:28Diversity of Antigen Receptors
2.1K
Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
2.1K
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
17.3K
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
17.3K