title: Immunological synapses are versatile structures enabling selective T cell polarization.
abstract: Helper T cells discriminate among different antigen-presenting cells to provide their help in a selective fashion. The molecular mechanisms leading to this exquisite selectivity are still elusive. Here, we demonstrate that immunological synapses are dynamic and adaptable structures allowing T cells to communicate with multiple cells. We show that T cells can form simultaneous immunological synapses with cells presenting different levels of antigenic ligands but eventually polarize toward the strongest stimulus. Remarkably, living T cells form discrete foci of signal transduction of different intensities during the interaction with different antigen-presenting cells and rapidly relocate TCR and Golgi apparatus toward the cell providing the strongest stimulus. Our results illustrate that, although T cell activation requires sustained signaling, T cells are capable of rapid synapse remodeling and swift polarization responses. The combination of sustained signaling with preferential and rapid polarization provides a mechanism for the high sensitivity and selectivity of T cell responses.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U563, Lymphocyte Interaction Group, Institut Claude de Préval, 31059 Toulouse.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Depoil
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zaru
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guiraud
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chauveau
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harriague
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bismuth
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Utzny
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valitutti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018801:CD2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018968:CD58 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D016764:Cell Polarity; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018801:CD2 Antigens; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell