Cross-presentation in viral immunity and self-tolerance

Abstract

Key PointsT lymphocytes can be separated into two subpopulations, based on their expression of CD4 and CD8. The CD4+ subset is primarily responsible for providing help to other immune cells, whereas CD8+ T cells are best known for their capacity to kill virus-infected cells. Cross-presentation is defined as the processing of exogenous antigens into the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway. Cross-priming and cross-tolerance refer to the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immunity or tolerance, respectively, that is induced by cross-presented antigens. Despite the discovery of cross-priming in the mid-1970s, the antigen-presenting cell responsible for this process has ..