What is "trogocytosis"

n. A process whereby lymphocytes conjugated to antigen-presenting cells extract surface molecules from these cells and express them on their own surface.

Trogocytosis (; gnaw) is a process whereby lymphocytes ( B, T and NK cells) conjugated to antigen-presenting cells extract surface molecules from these cells and express them on their own surface. The molecular reorganization occurring at the interface between the lymphocyte and the antigen-presenting cell during conjugation is also called “ immunological synapse”.