Lymph-borne CD8α(+) dendritic cells are uniquely able to cross-prime CD8(+) T cells with antigen acquired from intestinal epithelial cells.
Cross-presentation of cellular antigens is crucial for priming CD8(+) T cells, and generating immunity to intracellular pathogens-particularly viruses. It is unclear which intestinal phagocytes perform this function in vivo. To address this, we examined dendritic cells (DCs) from the intestinal lymph of IFABP-tOVA 232-4 mice, which express ovalbumin in small intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Amo