The protean immune cell synapse: a supramolecular structure with many functions.
Heterogeneity in the supramolecular organization of immunological synapses arises from the involvement of different cells, distinct environmental stimuli, and varying levels of protein expression. There may also be heterogeneity in the types and amounts of cell surface proteins and lipids that transfer between lymphocytes during immune surveillance. In addition, immune cells can be involved in the assembly of a 'viral synapse', such that micrometer-scale organization of proteins at intercellular contacts occurs during transmission of a virus between T cells. Thus, while there may be unity in molecular mechanisms underlying the organization of cell surface receptors at immune cell synapses, there is diversity in their function.
Department of Biological Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK. d.davis@imperial.ac.uk
Daniel M
DM
Davis
Tadahiko
T
Igakura
Fiona E
FE
McCann
Leo M
LM
Carlin
Katja
K
Andersson
Bruno
B
Vanherberghen
Anna
A
Sjöström
Charles R M
CR
Bangham
Petter
P
Höglund
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity
D011971:Receptors, Immunologic