Ms4a7 expression in cDC1s determines cross-presentation and antitumor immunity

Science. 2025 Nov 13;390(6774):eady5362. doi: 10.1126/science.ady5362. Epub 2025 Nov 13.

Abstract

Conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) capture antigens in peripheral tissues and migrate to draining lymph nodes (dLNs) to prime antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. How tumor antigens are processed to activate CD8+ T cell immunity is not well understood. In this work, we show that Ms4a7 is up-regulated in cDC1s after tumor antigen uptake or exposure to exogenous stimuli and is required for their cross-priming ability. Although Ms4a7-/- mice showed normal cDC1 development and turnover, they failed to prime antigen-specific CD8+ T cells following infection or tumor development. In human cancers, MS4A7 was expressed in a subset of cDC1s, preferentially enriched in dLNs, and correlated with patient survival. Our findings suggest a critical role for Ms4a7 in cDC1-mediated cross-presentation and antitumor CD8+ T cell responses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD20* / genetics
  • Antigens, CD20* / metabolism
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cross-Priming* / genetics
  • Cross-Priming* / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells* / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Membrane Proteins* / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • MS4A7 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Antigens, CD20