The immunological synapse balances T cell receptor signaling and degradation.
The immunological synapse is a specialized cell-cell junction between T cell and antigen-presenting cell surfaces. It is characterized by a central cluster of antigen receptors, a ring of integrin family adhesion molecules, and temporal stability over hours. The role of this specific organization in signaling for T cell activation has been controversial. We use in vitro and in silico experiments to determine that the immunological synapse acts as a type of adaptive controller that both boosts T cell receptor triggering and attenuates strong signals.
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004705:Endocytosis; D008024:Ligands; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011940:Receptor Aggregation; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000941:Antigens; C114545:CD2-associated protein; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010455:Peptides; D011506:Proteins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051746:ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase; C497262:Zap70 protein, mouse