SNX17 regulates antigen internalization and phagosomal maturation by dendritic cells

Abstract Cross-presentation is the process whereby antigenic peptides derived from exogenous antigens are associated to MHC class I molecules triggering the activation of CD8+ T lymphocytes. The endocytic route of dendritic cells (DCs) is strongly specialized to achieve antigen cross-presentation efficiently, which is crucial to initiate cytotoxic immune responses against many pathogens (i.e. Toxoplasma gondii) and tumors. Nevertheless, the endosomal molecular effectors involved in this process are not completely understood. In particular, the role of sorting nexin (SNX) proteins in cross-presentation has never been addressed. In this work, we identify the endosomal protein SNX17 as a key regulator of antigen internalization and cross-presentation by DCs. Our results demonstrate that SNX17 expression in DCs is essential to guarantee a normal cross-presentation of soluble, particulate and T. gondii-associated antigens. The silencing of SNX17 expression in DCs significantly affected the uptake of exogenous antigens by fluid-phase endocytosis and phagocytosis, but not by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Moreover, the knock-down of SNX17 impaired T. gondii invasion, CD11b integrin recycling and hampered the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Finally, we show that SNX17 controls the proper maturation of DC phagosomes. Our findings provide compelling evidence that SNX17 plays a central role in the modulation of DC endocytic network, which is crucial for competent antigen internalization and cross-presentation.