MHC II in dendritic cells is targeted to lysosomes or T cell-induced exosomes via distinct multivesicular body pathways

Traffic. 2009 Oct;10(10):1528-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2009.00963.x. Epub 2009 Jul 14.

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) express major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) to present peptide antigens to T cells. In immature DCs, which bear low cell surface levels of MHC II, peptide-loaded MHC II is ubiquitinated. Ubiquitination drives the endocytosis and sorting of MHC II to the luminal vesicles of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) for lysosomal degradation. Ubiquitination of MHC II is abrogated in activated DCs, resulting in an increased cell surface expression. We here provide evidence for an alternative MVB sorting mechanism for MHC II in antigen-loaded DCs, which is triggered by cognately interacting antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. At these conditions, DCs generate MVBs with MHC II and CD9 carrying luminal vesicles that are secreted as exosomes and transferred to the interacting T cells. Sorting of MHC II into exosomes was, in contrast to lysosomal targeting, independent of MHC II ubiquitination but rather correlated with its incorporation into CD9 containing detergent-resistant membranes. Together, these data indicate two distinct MVB pathways: one for lysosomal targeting and the other for exosome secretion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / ultrastructure
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Exosomes / immunology
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Exosomes / ultrastructure
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / metabolism*
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Lysosomes / immunology
  • Lysosomes / metabolism*
  • Lysosomes / ultrastructure
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • Multivesicular Bodies / immunology
  • Multivesicular Bodies / metabolism*
  • Multivesicular Bodies / ultrastructure
  • Protein Transport
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II