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Trogocytosis challenges the cellular specificity of lineage markers and monoclonal antibodies

Nature Reviews Immunology volume 23, pages 539–540 (2023)Cite this article

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The transfer of surface molecules between cells by trogocytosis challenges the concept of cell type-unique surface markers and indicates that monoclonal antibodies used for therapeutic purposes may be less specific than previously thought. Furthermore, trogocytosis may transfer functional properties to new cell types. This process could be used experimentally to trace disease-relevant cell–cell interactions.

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Fig. 1: Potential implications of trogocytosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany

    Jasmin Ochs, Silke Häusser-Kinzel & Martin S. Weber

  2. Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany

    Jasmin Ochs & Martin S. Weber

  3. Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Göttingen, Germany

    Martin S. Weber

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  1. Jasmin Ochs
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  2. Silke Häusser-Kinzel
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  3. Martin S. Weber
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Correspondence to Martin S. Weber.

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Ochs, J., Häusser-Kinzel, S. & Weber, M.S. Trogocytosis challenges the cellular specificity of lineage markers and monoclonal antibodies. Nat Rev Immunol 23, 539–540 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-023-00920-7

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