The immunological synapse: a molecular machine controlling T cell activation.
The specialized junction between a T lymphocyte and an antigen-presenting cell, the immunological synapse, consists of a central cluster of T cell receptors surrounded by a ring of adhesion molecules. Immunological synapse formation is now shown to be an active and dynamic mechanism that allows T cells to distinguish potential antigenic ligands. Initially, T cell receptor ligands were engaged in an outermost ring of the nascent synapse. Transport of these complexes into the central cluster was dependent on T cell receptor-ligand interaction kinetics. Finally, formation of a stable central cluster at the heart of the synapse was a determinative event for T cell proliferation.
Center for Immunology and the Department of Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
A
A
Grakoui
S K
SK
Bromley
C
C
Sumen
M M
MM
Davis
A S
AS
Shaw
P M
PM
Allen
M L
ML
Dustin
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016466:CHO Cells; D002465:Cell Movement; D006224:Cricetinae; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005453:Fluorescence; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008857:Microscopy, Interference; D018448:Models, Immunological; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D008024:Ligands; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010455:Peptides; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1