Viral sequestration of antigen subverts cross presentation to CD8(+) T cells.

Virus-specific CD8(+) T cells (T(CD8+)) are initially triggered by peptide-MHC Class I complexes on the surface of professional antigen presenting cells (pAPC). Peptide-MHC complexes are produced by two spatially distinct pathways during virus infection. Endogenous antigens synthesized within virus-infected pAPC are presented via the direct-presentation pathway.

Cross-priming utilizes antigen not available to the direct presentation pathway.

CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in protective immunity to viruses and tumours. Antiviral CD8+ T cells are initially activated by professional antigen presenting cells (pAPCs) that are directly infected by viruses (direct-priming) or following uptake of exogenous antigen transferred from virus-infected or tumour cells (cross-priming). In order to efficiently target each of these antigen-processing pathways during vaccine design, it is necessary to delineate the properties of the natural substrates for either of these antigen-processing pathways.