An AXL/LRP-1/RANBP9 complex mediates DC efferocytosis and antigen cross-presentation in vivo

Manikandan Subramanian, Crystal D. Hayes, Joseph J. Thome, Edward Thorp, Glenn K. Matsushima, Joachim Herz, Donna L. Farber, Kang Liu, Madepalli Lakshmana, Ira Tabas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Scopus citations

Abstract

The phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (ACs), or efferocytosis, by DCs is critical for self-tolerance and host defense. Although many efferocytosis- associated receptors have been described in vitro, the functionality of these receptors in vivo has not been explored in depth. Using a spleen efferocytosis assay and targeted genetic deletion in mice, we identified a multiprotein complex - composed of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL, LDL receptor-related protein-1 (LRP-1), and RAN-binding protein 9 (RANBP9) - that mediates DC efferocytosis and antigen cross-presentation. We found that AXL bound ACs, but required LRP-1 to trigger internalization, in murine CD8á+ DCs and human-derived DCs. AXL and LRP-1 did not interact directly, but relied on RANBP9, which bound both AXL and LRP-1, to form the complex. In a coculture model of antigen presentation, the AXL/ LRP-1/RANBP9 complex was used by DCs to cross-present AC-associated antigens to T cells. Furthermore, in a murine model of herpes simplex virus-1 infection, mice lacking DC-specific LRP-1, AXL, or RANBP9 had increased AC accumulation, defective viral antigen-specific CD8+ T cell activation, enhanced viral load, and decreased survival. The discovery of this multiprotein complex that mediates functionally important DC efferocytosis in vivo may have implications for future studies related to host defense and DC-based vaccines.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1296-1308
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation
Volume124
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 3 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An AXL/LRP-1/RANBP9 complex mediates DC efferocytosis and antigen cross-presentation in vivo'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this