Kinetic perspectives of T cell antigen receptor signaling. A two-tier model for T cell full activation.
T-cell activation consists of multiple layers of signaling events. Interleukin-2 production is of interest for many, since its expression determines a critical difference between partial and full T-cell activation. To achieve full activation of T cells, it is necessary for the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) to be engaged for an extended period of time. However, why extended stimulation is required for full T-cell activation is not understood at the molecular level. In this review, orchestrated events of TCR signal transduction will be analyzed in a kinetic manner and connected toward the understanding of the mechanism of T-cell activation. Based on recent results, a model of the mechanism that dictates the threshold between partial and full T-cell activation is proposed.
Iwashima
Makio
M
Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-2600, USA. miwashima@mail.mcg.edu
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology; D007700:Kinetics; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D014157:Transcription Factors