[The immunological synapse: an exclusive zone for directed cell death after specific recognition].
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes or killer cells are an important part of the immune system. These cells move through the body while their T cell receptors initiate low affinity contacts with MHC class I proteins (also termed transplantation antigens) on other cells. If there is a specific interaction between the T cell receptor and MHC class I molecule, then that cell is killed. This happens with virus-infected cells but also with tumour cells, during transplant rejection and in various autoimmune diseases. The immunological synapse is a sealed area generated by the killer cell in order to selectively kill a particular cell. The cytotoxic content of the killer cell is released into this area.
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Nederlands Kanker Instituut/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek ziekenhuis, divisie Tumorbiologie, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam.
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D016923:Cell Death / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell