Cognate antigen engagement on parenchymal cells stimulates CD8+ T cell proliferation in situ

Abstract

Professional antigen presenting cells (APC) are the major activator of T cells that then hone to sites of inflammation. Using islet cell grafts, here the authors show that parenchymal cells can present antigen to activate CD8+T cells at inflammatory sites, coining this a ‘mezzanine response’ distinct from primary and secondary responses associated with professional APCs.