SNX17 Regulates Antigen Internalisation and Phagosomal Maturation by Dendritic Cells

Abstract

Antigen cross-presentation is the process whereby small peptides derived from exogenous antigens are attached to MHC-I molecules triggering CD8+ T lymphocyte activation. The endocytic route of dendritic cells (DCs) is highly specialised for cross-presentation to initiate cytotoxic immune responses against numerous intracellular pathogens and tumours. In this study, we identify the endosomal protein sorting nexin (SNX) 17 as a key regulator of antigen internalisation and cross-presentation by DCs. SNX17 expression in DCs guarantees optimal cross-presentation of soluble, particulate, and Toxoplasma gondii-associated antigens. The silencing of SNX17 expression in DCs significantly affected the internalisation of exogenous antigens by fluid-phase endocytosis, phagocytosis, and more strikingly, T. gondii invasion. We show that SNX17 controls proper integrin recycling, actin cytoskeleton organisation, and phagosomal maturation. Altogether, our findings provide compelling evidence that SNX17 plays a central role in the modulation of the DC endocytic network, which is essential for competent antigen cross-presentation.