摘要：SummaryT cell activation requires the processing and presentation of antigenic peptides in the context of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC complex). Cross-dressing is a non-conventional antigen presentation mechanism, involving the transfer of preformed peptide/MHC complexes from whole cells, such as apoptotic cells (ACs) to the cell membrane of professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells (DCs). This is an essential mechanism for the induction of immune response against viral antigens, tumors, and graft rejection, which until now has not been clarified. Here we show for first time that the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is crucial to induce cross-dressing between ACs and Bone-Marrow DCs (BMDCs). In controlledex vivoassays, we found that the P2X7R in both ACs and BMDCs is required to induce membrane and fully functional peptide/MHC complex transfer to BMDCs. These findings show that acquisition of ACs-derived preformed antigen/MHC-I complexes by BMDCs requires P2X7R expression.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Cross-dressing of antigens to Dendritic Cells (DCs) is dependent of P2X7 receptor•The P2X7 receptor must be present in both Dendritic Cells and antigen source•The transfer of antigen/MHC-I complexes to DCs is functional and activates T CD8 cells•The P2X7 receptor allows Cross-Dressing possibly through a membrane fusion processCell biology; Immune response; Immune system
