Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (654 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Class I-restricted activation of cd8-positive lymphocytes resulting from antigen presentation of exogenous antigens (cross-presentation). This is in contrast to normal activation of these lymphocytes (direct-priming) which results from presentation of endogenous antigens.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Cross Priming; Cross-Presentation; Cross Presentation.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Lymphocyte Activation
- See also
- Antigen Presentation
Related concepts
- Cd8-Positive Lymphocytes
- Antigen Presentation
- Antigens
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 1,371 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Cross-Priming” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 289 of them (21.1%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 729 records.
Reviews account for 178 records (13.0%) and meta-analyses for 0. Randomized controlled trials number 2 (0.1%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 368 |
| 2010-2019 | 729 |
| 2020 onward | 289 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 178 | 13.0% |
| Meta-analyses | 0 | 0.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 2 | 0.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Cross-Priming"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in immunology
Immune responses are studied in model organisms, in cells from donors and in patients, and the same pathway can behave differently across these settings. Mouse immune systems differ from human ones in important ways, and blood measurements may not reflect what happens in tissues. Clinical conclusions about immune-mediated disease or immunotherapy come mainly from controlled trials and long-term cohorts. Check the species and tissue studied, whether markers were linked to outcomes patients notice, and the follow-up time.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human tissues contain CD141hi cross-presenting dendritic cells with functional homology to mouse CD103+ nonlymphoid dendritic cells | 2012 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 588 | cc by PMID 22795876 · DOI · PMC3476529 |
| Lipid bodies containing oxidatively truncated lipids block antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells in cancer | 2017 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 272 | cc by PMID 29242535 · DOI · PMC5730553 |
| Antigen Cross-Presentation by Macrophages | 2020 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 207 | cc by PMID 32733446 · DOI · PMC7360722 |
| Cross-presentation of dead cell-associated antigens shapes the neoantigenic landscape of tumor immunity | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 41482545 · DOI · PMC12764433 |
Human tissues contain CD141hi cross-presenting dendritic cells with functional homology to mouse CD103+ nonlymphoid dendritic cells [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Dendritic cell (DC)-mediated cross-presentation of exogenous antigens acquired in the periphery is critical for the initiation of CD8(+) T cell responses.
- Closing excerpt
- These studies inform the rational design of targeted immunotherapies and facilitate translation of mouse functional DC biology to the human setting.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (149 words)
Dendritic cell (DC)-mediated cross-presentation of exogenous antigens acquired in the periphery is critical for the initiation of CD8(+) T cell responses. Several DC subsets are described in human tissues but migratory cross-presenting DCs have not been isolated, despite their potential importance in immunity to pathogens, vaccines, and tumors and tolerance to self. Here, we identified a CD141(hi) DC present in human interstitial dermis, liver, and lung that was distinct from the majority of CD1c(+) and CD14(+) tissue DCs and superior at cross-presenting soluble antigens. Cutaneous CD141(hi) DCs were closely related to blood CD141(+) DCs, and migratory counterparts were found among skin-draining lymph node DCs. Comparative transcriptomic analysis with mouse showed tissue DC subsets to be conserved between species and permitted close alignment of human and mouse DC subsets. These studies inform the rational design of targeted immunotherapies and facilitate translation of mouse functional DC biology to the human setting.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 22795876 · DOI · PMC3476529
Lipid bodies containing oxidatively truncated lipids block antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells in cancer [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Cross-presentation is a critical function of dendritic cells (DCs) required for induction of antitumor immune responses and success of cancer immunotherapy.
- Closing excerpt
- In conclusion, this study demonstrates a mechanism regulating cross-presentation in cancer and suggests potential therapeutic avenues.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (150 words)
Cross-presentation is a critical function of dendritic cells (DCs) required for induction of antitumor immune responses and success of cancer immunotherapy. It is established that tumor-associated DCs are defective in their ability to cross-present antigens. However, the mechanisms driving these defects are still unknown. We find that impaired cross-presentation in DCs is largely associated with defect in trafficking of peptide-MHC class I (pMHC) complexes to the cell surface. DCs in tumor-bearing hosts accumulate lipid bodies (LB) containing electrophilic oxidatively truncated (ox-tr) lipids. These ox-tr-LB, but not LB present in control DCs, covalently bind to chaperone heat shock protein 70. This interaction prevents the translocation of pMHC to cell surface by causing the accumulation of pMHC inside late endosomes/lysosomes. As a result, tumor-associated DCs are no longer able to stimulate adequate CD8 T cells responses. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a mechanism regulating cross-presentation in cancer and suggests potential therapeutic avenues.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29242535 · DOI · PMC5730553
Antigen Cross-Presentation by Macrophages [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The contribution of dendritic cell (DC) antigen cross-presentation to the activation of CD8+ T lymphocytes for immune defense against tumors, viruses, and intracellular pathogens has been recognized widely.
- Closing excerpt
- Because cross-presentation promotes the initiation and potentiation of antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocyte responses, stimulating macrophages to cross-present antigen might be a promising strategy for antitumor or antiviral therapies.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (206 words)
The contribution of dendritic cell (DC) antigen cross-presentation to the activation of CD8+ T lymphocytes for immune defense against tumors, viruses, and intracellular pathogens has been recognized widely. Although originally thought to be an exclusive characteristic of DCs, recently also other immune cells, particularly macrophages, have been shown capable of cross-presentation. Here we provide an overview of in vitro and in vivo evidence on cross-presentation by macrophages. As we discuss, it is now firmly established that various types of tissue-resident macrophages are able to cross-present via similar cellular pathways as DCs. This is based on a wide range of antigens in macrophages from many different tissue origins such as blood, tumors, and lymphoid tissue. However, the physiological relevance of macrophage cross-presentation with potential contributions to activation of CD8+ T lymphocytes is still mostly unknown. While cross-presentation by various types of proinflammatory macrophages might be involved in cross-priming of naive CD8+ T lymphocytes, it might also be involved in local reactivation of memory and/or effector CD8+ T lymphocytes. Moreover, cross-presentation by anti-inflammatory macrophages could be related to immune tolerance. Because cross-presentation promotes the initiation and potentiation of antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocyte responses, stimulating macrophages to cross-present antigen might be a promising strategy for antitumor or antiviral therapies.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32733446 · DOI · PMC7360722
Cross-presentation of dead cell-associated antigens shapes the neoantigenic landscape of tumor immunity [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s) acquire and cross-present tumor antigens to prime CD8⁺ T cells.
- Closing excerpt
- Thus, neoantigen cross-presentation by cDC1 can determine the immune visibility of the tumor mutational landscape and sculpt cancer evolution by immunoediting.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (149 words)
Type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s) acquire and cross-present tumor antigens to prime CD8⁺ T cells. Whether this selects for specific neoantigens is unclear. DNGR-1 (CLEC9A), a cDC1 receptor for F-actin exposed on dead cells, promotes cross-presentation of cell-associated antigens. Here we show that DNGR-1-deficient mice develop chemically induced tumors more rapidly and at higher incidence, and these are more frequently rejected on transplantation into wild-type recipients. Whole-exome sequencing reveals enrichment of predicted neoantigens derived from mutated F-actin-binding proteins. Consistent with this observation, tethering model antigens to F-actin enhances DNGR-1-dependent cross-presentation. These results suggest that DNGR-1-mediated recognition of F-actin exposed by dead cancer cells favors priming of CD8⁺ T cells specific for cytoskeletal neoantigens, which can then drive immune escape of cancer cells lacking or reverting those mutations. Thus, neoantigen cross-presentation by cDC1 can determine the immune visibility of the tumor mutational landscape and sculpt cancer evolution by immunoediting.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41482545 · DOI · PMC12764433
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Cross-presentation by dendritic cells [5]
- Research article Dendritic Cells and Cancer Immunity [6]
- Research article Cross-presentation, dendritic cell subsets, and the generation of immunity to cellular antigens [7]
- Research article Dying cells actively regulate adaptive immune responses [8]
- Research article Cross-priming in health and disease [9]
- Research article Mechanisms of MHC class I-restricted antigen processing and cross-presentation [10]
References
- Haniffa M, Shin A, Bigley V, McGovern N, Teo P, See P, et al.. Human tissues contain CD141hi cross-presenting dendritic cells with functional homology to mouse CD103+ nonlymphoid dendritic cells. . 2012. PMID 22795876 · DOI · PMC3476529
- Veglia F, Tyurin VA, Mohammadyani D, Blasi M, Duperret EK, Donthireddy L, et al.. Lipid bodies containing oxidatively truncated lipids block antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells in cancer. . 2017. PMID 29242535 · DOI · PMC5730553
- Muntjewerff EM, Meesters LD, van den Bogaart G. Antigen Cross-Presentation by Macrophages. . 2020. PMID 32733446 · DOI · PMC7360722
- Lim KHJ, Schulz O, Lobon I, Castro-Dopico T, Zapata L, Giampazolias E, et al.. Cross-presentation of dead cell-associated antigens shapes the neoantigenic landscape of tumor immunity. . 2026. PMID 41482545 · DOI · PMC12764433
- Joffre OP, Segura E, Savina A, Amigorena S. Cross-presentation by dendritic cells. Nat Rev Immunol. 2012. PMID 22790179 · DOI
- Gardner A, Ruffell B. Dendritic Cells and Cancer Immunity. Trends Immunol. 2016. PMID 27793569 · DOI · PMC5135568
- Heath WR, Belz GT, Behrens GM, Smith CM, Forehan SP, Parish IA, et al.. Cross-presentation, dendritic cell subsets, and the generation of immunity to cellular antigens. Immunol Rev. 2004. PMID 15233723 · DOI
- Yatim N, Cullen S, Albert ML. Dying cells actively regulate adaptive immune responses. Nat Rev Immunol. 2017. PMID 28287107 · DOI
- Kurts C, Robinson BW, Knolle PA. Cross-priming in health and disease. Nat Rev Immunol. 2010. PMID 20498667 · DOI
- Cresswell P, Ackerman AL, Giodini A, Peaper DR, Wearsch PA. Mechanisms of MHC class I-restricted antigen processing and cross-presentation. Immunol Rev. 2005. PMID 16181333 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.