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What is trogocytosis and what is its purpose?

Nature Immunology volume 4, page 815 (2003)Cite this article

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Several reports have documented that lymphocytes can extract surface molecules through the 'immunological synapse' from the antigen-presenting cells to which they are conjugated1. This phenomenon, which we have called 'trogocytosis'1 (from the ancient Greek trogo, meaning 'gnaw'), involves the transfer of plasma membrane fragments from the presenting cell to the lymphocyte. Trogocytosis has been documented in T, B and natural killer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, this process may be important in the induction and regulation of immune responses, and possibly in the control of other cellular systems1.

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References

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  1. Institut Claude de Préval, U563 INSERM, CHU Purpan, Toulouse, France

    Etienne Joly & Denis Hudrisier

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  1. Etienne Joly
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  2. Denis Hudrisier
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Joly, E., Hudrisier, D. What is trogocytosis and what is its purpose?. Nat Immunol 4, 815 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni0903-815

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