Antigen-presenting cell function enhancement

Enhancement of antigen-presenting cell function refers to a variety of therapeutic strategies designed to improve the ability of professional (dendritic cell, B cell, macrophage) and non-professional cells to present antigens to T cells, thereby boosting adaptive immune responses. This is often achieved by upregulating expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, co-stimulatory receptors, and cytokine receptors on APCs, thus improving T cell activation and anti-tumor or anti-pathogen immunity. Approaches include the use of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides, cytokines, and agonists such as BAFF. While enhancing APC function can help overcome tumor immune evasion or infectious disease, there is an associated risk of off-target immune activation leading to autoimmunity or inflammatory complications

Other names

Enhancing antigen presentationAPC function enhancementaugmentation of antigen-presenting cell activity

Upregulation of antigen-presentation surface molecules (MHC I, MHC II, CD40, B7-1/B7-2) Induction of co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules (e.g., ICAM-1, Fc receptors) Enhancement of cytokine signaling (e.g., IFN-γ, IL-2 receptor expression) Activation or licensing of T cells towards Th1 differentiation