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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Artificial Antigen Presenting Cell (aAPC) Mediated Activation and Expansion of Natural Killer T Cells
Published on: December 29, 2012
Immunological functions of non-professional antigen-presenting cells: new insights from studies of T-cell
1Dept of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0602.
T-cell activation in the absence of co-stimulatory signals can lead to induction of anergy. Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of bone marrow origin, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, can provide co-stimulation through molecules such as B7-1 and B7-2. In addition, cells of epithelial origin can function as 'non-professional' APCs when activated. In these circumstances, the functional consequences of the T cell-APC interaction may differ, perhaps due to the nature of the co-stimulatory pathways utilized and/or the cytokines encountered by the T cell. Here, Brian Nickoloff and Laurence Turka suggest that these differences may be important in regulating immune responses to local antigens and also in maintaining self-tolerance.
T-cell activation in the absence of co-stimulatory signals can lead to induction of anergy. Professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of bone marrow origin, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, can provide co-stimulation through molecules such as B7-1 and B7-2. In addition, cells of epithelial origin can function as 'non-professional' APCs when activated. In these circumstances, the functional consequences of the T cell-APC interaction may differ, perhaps due to the nature of the co-stimulatory pathways utilized and/or the cytokines encountered by the T cell. Here, Brian Nickoloff and Laurence Turka suggest that these differences may be important in regulating immune responses to local antigens and also in maintaining self-tolerance.
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