Regulation of Exocytosis from Immune Cells

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

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Abstract

In vitro studies have shown that protein movement to/from endosomes in APCs is thought to be regulated by the membrane-membrane fusion SNARE proteins SNAP-23 and VAMP-8. In addition to SNAREs, the Ras-like GTPase Rab11a is a well-known regulator of protein transport from recycling endosomes to the plasma membrane. The importance of these proteins in antigen presentation by APCs in animals has not been addressed. We have generated DCs from VAMP-8 deficient mice and from Rab11a-deficient mice and are assessing the importance of these proteins in MHC-I movement to/from phagosomes and in antigen cross-presentation in vivo. We are also using these mice to address the importance of endosomal recycling on MHC-II antigen processing and presentation.