Cathepsin E in antigen-presenting Langerhans and interdigitating reticulum cells. Its possible role in antigen processing
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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Purification of the Membrane Compartment for Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation of Exogenous Antigens in Cross-presentation
Published on: August 21, 2017
1Dipartimento di Patologia Umana ed Ereditaria, I Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pavia ed I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
Abstract:
A specific rabbit anti-human cathepsin E serum detected this aspartic proteinase in Langerhans cells of the skin, in interdigitating reticulum cells of lymph nodes and spleen and in histiocytosis X cells, but not in macrophages. Immunoblotting of tissue extracts confirmed the presence of cathepsin E in skin and lymph nodes. Electron immunocytochemistry with the protein A gold technique localized cathepsin E in the endoplasmic reticulum and in endosomal vesicles of both interdigitating and Langerhans cells, likely involving Birbeck bodies. A role of endosomal cathepsin E in antigen processing is suggested.
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