title: T cell activation and the cytoskeleton.
abstract: Ligation of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) stimulates protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), which regulate intracellular calcium and control the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes. PTKs activated by antigen receptors and costimulatory molecules also couple to phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and control the activity of Ras- and Rho-family GTPases. T cell signal transduction is triggered physiologically by antigen in the context of antigen presenting cells (APC). The formation of stable and prolonged contacts between T cells and APCs is not necessary to initiate T cell signaling but is required for effective T cell proliferation and differentiation. The stabilization of the T cell/ APC conjugate is regulated by intracellular signals induced by antigen receptors and costimulators. These coordinate the regulation of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton and organize a specialized signaling zone that allows sustained TCR signaling.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute, 75724, Paris, France. oacuto@pasteur.fr
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Acuto
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cantrell
mesh_terms: D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases