Fig. 6.

A model for mcDC-mediated priming to apoptotic cell-associated antigens. Uptake of dying cells by mcDC results in type I IFN induction and antigen presentation in MHC class I and II. Type I IFN has an autocrine adjuvant effect on the mcDC and a paracrine adjuvant effect on the CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells leading to increased proliferation, effector function, and development of long-term memory. The increased CD4⁺T cell response provides “help” in the priming of the CD8⁺T cells that—upon acquisition of cytolytic effector functions—target more cells for destruction