CD8+ T cell activation via cross-presentation pathway

CD8+ T cell activation via cross-presentation is a process in which professional antigen-presenting cells, especially dendritic cells, process exogenous antigens and display them on MHC class I molecules, rather than the usual MHC class II pathway[4][3][5]. This allows naive CD8+ T cells to recognize and respond to antigens from pathogens or tumors that do not directly infect antigen-presenting cells, leading to cytotoxic immune responses essential for the control of many infections and tumors[4][3]. Cross-presentation is necessary for the effectiveness of many protein-based vaccines against tumors and viruses and involves cellular mechanisms such as endocytosis, cytosolic translocation, and proteasomal degradation, followed by loading of peptides onto MHC class I complexes[7][6]. This pathway can be manipulated by pathogens for immune evasion and can contribute to detrimental autoimmunity if not properly regulated[1][5].

Other names

CD8+ T cell cross-primingAntigen cross-presentation to CD8+ T cellsCross-priming

Null for direct targeting; modulation occurs through affecting dendritic cell function, antigen uptake, or MHC class I antigen processing