title: The Role of the immunological Synapse Formed by Cytotoxic Lymphocytes in Immunodeficiency and Anti-Tumor immunity.
abstract: A synapse is a specialized structure that forms when the plasma membrane of two cells come into close contact to facilitate communication and signaling. Cells of the immune system form 'immunological' synapses that have an ordered structure and are essential for immune cell activation, function and homeostasis. Optimal synapse formation is not only critical for the generation of effective immunity against pathogens but is also essential for immune surveillance against cancer and for the prevention of immune disorders. Not surprisingly, defective synapse formation can therefore have severe consequences for human health, culminating in poor immune function leading to immunodeficiency disease or failure to detect and control infected or cancerous cells. Here, we discuss the immunological synapse formed by cytotoxic lymphocytes in both immunodeficiency diseases and anticancer immunity and touch on novel therapies that may alter or enhance synapse formation.
authors.affiliation: Immune Defence Laboratory, Cancer Immunology Division, The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
authors.forename: Conor J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.affiliation: Killer Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Immunology Division, The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia.
authors.forename: Amelia J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: Immunotherapy Laboratory, Cancer Immunology Division, The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Phillip K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Darcy
authors.affiliation: Immune Defence Laboratory, Cancer Immunology Division, The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oliaro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance; D054992:Immunological Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm