title: Assembling atomic resolution views of the immunological synapse.
abstract: Antigen-dependent T-cell activation is initiated by the organized interactions of a host of cell-surface receptors in the interface between the T cell and an antigen-presenting cell. Recent structural studies of many of the receptors that comprise this 'immunological synapse', including integrins, cadherins and co-stimulatory molecules, reveal in detail the molecular interactions that bridge the synapse. Additionally, structural analyses of the cytoplasmic tails of integrins and co-stimulatory receptors in complex with intracellular signaling proteins are providing insight into the mechanisms that couple receptor clustering on the cell surface with the initiation of cytoplasmic signaling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Jia-huai
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Eck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism; D016023:Integrins / Q000737:chemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000071177:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015820:Cadherins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D016023:Integrins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D000071177:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1