Regulation of Tumor Immunity by Tumor/Dendritic Cell Fusions

Figure 2

Characterization of tumor/DC fusions. Tumor/DC fusions express MHC class I, II, costimulatory molecules and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). The fusions are able to process tumor-derived peptides and MHC class I peptides derived from DCs. They form MHC class I-peptide complexes, in the endoplasmic reticulum, which are transported to the cell surface and presented to CD8+ T cells. Similarly, the fusions can synthesize MHC class II peptides derived from DC in the endoplasmic reticulum, which are transported to the cytoplasm where MHC class II-peptide complexes are assembled with tumor-derived peptides and presented to CD4+ T cells.