Asymmetric cell division of T cells upon antigen presentation uses multiple conserved mechanisms.
Asymmetric cell division is a potential means by which cell fate choices during an immune response are orchestrated. Defining the molecular mechanisms that underlie asymmetric division of T cells is paramount for determining the role of this process in the generation of effector and memory T cell subsets. In other cell types, asymmetric cell division is regulated by conserved polarity protein complexes that control the localization of cell fate determinants and spindle orientation during division. We have developed a tractable, in vitro model of naive CD8(+) T cells undergoing initial division while attached to dendritic cells during Ag presentation to investigate whether similar mechanisms might regulate asymmetric division of T cells. Using this system, we show that direct interactions with APCs provide the cue for polarization of T cells. Interestingly, the immunological synapse disseminates before division even though the T cells retain contact with the APC. The cue from the APC is translated into polarization of cell fate determinants via the polarity network of the Par3 and Scribble complexes, and orientation of the mitotic spindle during division is orchestrated by the partner of inscuteable/G protein complex. These findings suggest that T cells have selectively adapted a number of evolutionarily conserved mechanisms to generate diversity through asymmetric cell division.
Oliaro
Jane
J
Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Australia.
Van Ham
Vanessa
V
Sacirbegovic
Faruk
F
Pasam
Anupama
A
Bomzon
Ze'ev
Z
Pham
Kim
K
Ludford-Menting
Mandy J
MJ
Waterhouse
Nigel J
NJ
Bots
Michael
M
Hawkins
Edwin D
ED
Watt
Sally V
SV
Cluse
Leonie A
LA
Clarke
Chris J P
CJ
Izon
David J
DJ
Chang
John T
JT
Thompson
Natalie
N
Gu
Min
M
Johnstone
Ricky W
RW
Smyth
Mark J
MJ
Humbert
Patrick O
PO
Reiner
Steven L
SL
Russell
Sarah M
SM
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology*; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism