title: Actin cytoskeletal dynamics in T lymphocyte activation and migration.
abstract: Dynamic rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton are crucial for the function of numerous cellular elements including T lymphocytes. They are required for migration of T lymphocytes through the body to scan for the presence of antigens, as well as for the formation and stabilization of the immunological synapse at the interface between antigen-presenting cells and T lymphocytes. Supramolecular activation clusters within the immunological synapse play an important role for the initiation of T cell responses and for the execution of T cell effector functions. In addition to the T cell receptor/CD3 induced actin nucleation via Wasp/Arp2/3-activation, signals through accessory receptors of the T cell (i.e., costimulation) regulate actin cytoskeletal dynamics. In this regard, the actin-binding proteins cofilin and L-plastin represent prominent candidates linking accessory receptor stimulation to the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Cofilin enhances actin polymerization via its actin-severing activity, and as a long-lasting effect, cofilin generates novel actin monomers through F-actin depolymerization. L-plastin stabilizes actin filament structures by means of its actin-bundling activity.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. o69@ix.urz.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Samstag
authors.forename: Sybille M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Eibert
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klemke
authors.forename: Guido H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Wabnitz
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000276:immunology; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000199:Actins