Special Feature
Immunology and Cell Biology (1999) 77, 552–558; doi:10.1046/j.1440-1711.1999.00876.x
Cross-presentation of tumour antigens: Evaluation of threshold, duration, distribution and regulation
Bruce WS Robinson1, Richard A Lake1, Delia J Nelson1, Bernadette A Scott1,* and Amanda L Marzo1
1 University Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
Correspondence: Prof. Bruce WS Robinson, Department of Medicine, 4th Floor, G Block, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia. Email: bwsrobin@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
*Present address: Institute of Reproduction Development, Level 2, 27–31 Wright Street, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia.
Received 14 September 1999; Accepted 14 September 1999.
Abstract
The development of technology to measure antigen presentation in the secondary lymphoid system has provided the opportunity of analysing components of the host antitumour immune response that have, until now, been unavailable for study. In particular, this technology has enabled us to evaluate threshold levels of tumour antigen required for cross-presentation in draining lymph nodes, the duration of this antigen presentation and processes that regulate tumour antigen presentation. Thus, we have been able to dissect out the relationship between antigen presentation and the resultant development of effector function in class I-restricted T cells, as well as the role of regulatory CD4 cells. We have also used this technology to evaluate the effects of antitumour therapy on local antigen cross-presentation.
Keywords:
antigen, CD4, cross-presentation, lymph node, T cell, tumour
