Functional antigen-independent synapses formed between T cells and dendritic cells.
Immunological synapse formation is usually assumed to require antigen recognition by T cell receptors. However, the immunological synapse formed at the interface between naïve T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) has never been described. We show here that in the absence of antigen, and even of major histocompatibility complex molecules, T cell-DC synapses are formed and lead to several T cell responses: a local increase in tyrosine phosphorylation, small Ca2+ responses, weak proliferation and long-term survival. These responses are triggered more readily in CD4+ T cells than in CD8+ T cells, which express a specific isoform of the repulsive molecule CD43. These phenomena may play a major role in the maintenance of the naïve T cell pool in vivo.
Revy
P
P
Laboratoire d'Immuno-Pharmacologie Moléculaire, CNRS UPR415, Institut Cochin de Génétique Moléculaire, Paris, France.
Sospedra
M
M
Barbour
B
B
Trautmann
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010766:Phosphorylation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000235:genetics
D000941:Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D002118:Calcium