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This term describes a biological process in which host cells express pathogen-derived antigens (via genetic material or recombinant proteins), leading to their presentation on MHC molecules and activation of the adaptive immune system. This mechanism underlies modern vaccination strategies such as mRNA vaccines, viral vector vaccines, and some investigational cancer immunotherapies. When endogenous expression of antigens occurs, either through infection or via gene-based vaccination, professional antigen-presenting cells present these antigens to T and B lymphocytes, resulting in antigen-specific immunological memory and robust adaptive immune responses upon subsequent exposures[1][2][3][6].

Other names

Adaptive immune system activationEndogenous antigen presentationIn situ antigen expression for immune primingMechanism of vaccine-induced immunity

Endogenous production of pathogen-specific antigens in host cells, leading to antigen presentation via MHC molecules and activation of T cells, with subsequent adaptive immune responses[2][6]. Induction of immunological memory through clonal expansion of antigen-specific B and T cells[1][5][6].