Trogocytosis and cross-dressing in antigen presentation

Curr Opin Immunol. 2023 Aug:83:102331. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2023.102331. Epub 2023 May 4.

Abstract

Antigen (Ag)-presenting cells capture or synthesize Ags that are processed into peptides bound and displayed on the plasma membrane by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Here, we review a mechanism that enables cells to present Ag-loaded MHC molecules that they have not produced themselves, namely trogocytosis. During trogocytosis, a cell acquires fragments from another living cell without, in most cases, affecting the viability of the donor cell. The trogocytic cell can incorporate into its own plasma membrane (becoming cross-dressed) proteins acquired from the donor cell, including intact Ag and MHC molecules. Trogocytosis and cross-dressing expand the immunological functions that immune and nonimmune cells are able to carry out, with both beneficial and deleterious consequences.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation*
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells
  • Bandages
  • Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Humans
  • Trogocytosis*

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II