T-cell fate and function: PKC-theta and beyond.
The serine/threonine-specific protein kinase C-theta (PKC-theta) is a core component of the immunological synapse that was shown in vitro to play a central role in the activation of T cells after T cell receptor (TCR) and co-stimulatory molecule engagement. In recent years, a series of in vivo studies have shown that the situation is far more complex; specifically, PKC-theta signaling is differentially required for Th1, Th2, Th17 and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell responses. These studies highlight the combination of signals that directly regulate T-cell differentiation and effector responses. In this review, we highlight recent in vivo studies investigating PKC-theta function and discuss this in the context of how the integration of extrinsic signals determines T cell fate and function.
Marsland
Benjamin J
BJ
Institute of Integrative Biology, Molecular Biomedicine, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, CH-8952 Zurich, Switzerland. marsland@env.ethz.ch
Kopf
Manfred
M
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011493:Protein Kinase C