title: Kupfer-type immunological synapses in vivo: Raison D'être of SMAC.
abstract: T cells engage with antigen-presenting cells to form immunological synapses. These intimate contacts are characterized by the complex arrangement of molecules at the intercellular interface, which has been described as the supramolecular activation cluster (SMAC). However, due to T cells functioning without SMAC formation and the difficulties of studying these complex arrangements in vivo, its biological importance has been questioned. In light of recent data, we focus this review on the putative functionality of SMACs in T-cell synaptic contacts in vivo and emphasize the therapeutic potential of SMAC manipulation in immune-driven diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Neurociènces, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Izaskun
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mitxitorena
authors.affiliation: Institut de Neurociènces, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saavedra
authors.affiliation: Institut de Neurociènces, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barcia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D054992:Immunological Synapses / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1