Efficient presentation of exogenous antigen by liver endothelial cells to CD8+ T cells results in antigen-specific T-cell tolerance

A Limmer, J Ohl, C Kurts, HG Ljunggren, Y Reiss… - Nature medicine, 2000 - nature.com
A Limmer, J Ohl, C Kurts, HG Ljunggren, Y Reiss, M Groettrup, F Momburg, B Arnold…
Nature medicine, 2000nature.com
Myeloid antigen-presenting cells (APC) are known to cross-present exogenous antigen on
major histocompatibility class I molecules to CD8+ T cells and thereby induce protective
immunity against infecting microorganisms. Here we report that liver sinusoidal endothelial
cells (LSEC) are organ-resident, non-myeloid APC capable of cross-presenting soluble
exogenous antigen to CD8+ T cells. Though LSEC employ similar molecular mechanisms
for cross-presentation as dendritic cells, the outcome of cross-presentation by LSEC is CD8+ …
Abstract
Myeloid antigen-presenting cells (APC) are known to cross-present exogenous antigen on major histocompatibility class I molecules to CD8+ T cells and thereby induce protective immunity against infecting microorganisms. Here we report that liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) are organ-resident, non-myeloid APC capable of cross-presenting soluble exogenous antigen to CD8+ T cells. Though LSEC employ similar molecular mechanisms for cross-presentation as dendritic cells, the outcome of cross-presentation by LSEC is CD8+ T cell tolerance rather than immunity. As uptake of circulating antigens into LSEC occurs efficiently in vivo, it is likely that cross-presentation by LSEC contributes to CD8+ T cell tolerance observed in situations where soluble antigen is present in the circulation.
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