T cell receptor (TCR) clustering in the immunological synapse integrates TCR and costimulatory signaling in selected T cells.
During T cell activation, T cell receptors (TCR) cluster at the center of the T cell/antigen-presenting cell interface forming a key component of the immunological synapse. The function of this TCR clustering is still unresolved. A comprehensive search for such a function yielded a very limited and specific result. A micrometer-scale receptor clustering integrated the TCR and CD28 signals required for IL-2 secretion in primary 5C.C7 T cells, a low-affinity/avidity TCR system. 5C.C7 TCR signaling itself was not affected. In addition, central TCR accumulation was not required for any T cell effector function tested in three other TCR transgenic models. Central TCR accumulation thus had a specific role in signaling integration in low-affinity T cells.
Purtic
Bozidar
B
Center for Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Pitcher
Lisa A
LA
van Oers
Nicolai S C
NS
Wülfing
Christoph
C
D000818:Animals; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D016764:Cell Polarity; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D018106:CD28 Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell