Molecular Mechanisms that underpin dendritic cell cross-presentation

DC take up, process and present antigen (Ag) to T cells to initiate immune responses. There are multiple DC subsets that are tailored for different functions. While all DC can take up, process and present Ag on MHC II to induce CD4 T cell responses, only particular DC subsets can take up dead cells and other exogenous Ag and cross-present these on MHC I to induce the CD8 T cell responses essential for killing infected cells and tumours. Using microarray comparisons of DC subsets and DC stages of development, we have identified a panel of genes that are selectively expressed by cross-presenting DC subsets in mouse. In this project, we aim to investigate the expression and function of these genes, and determine their role in Ag presentation and DC function.