The immunological synapse balances T cell receptor signaling and degradation.

Journal article

The immunological synapse is a specialized cell-cell junction between T cell and antigen-presenting cell surfaces. It is characterized by a central cluster of antigen receptors, a ring of integrin family adhesion molecules, and temporal stability over hours. The role of this specific organization in signaling for T cell activation has been controversial. We use in vitro and in silico experiments to determine that the immunological synapse acts as a type of adaptive controller that both boosts T cell receptor triggering and attenuates strong signals.

Authors: Lee, K; Dinner, A; Tu, C; Campi, G; Raychaudhuri, S

• Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.)
• Volume: 302
• Issue: 5648
• Pages: 1218-1222
• Publication date: 2003-11-01
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1086507
• EISSN: 1095-9203
• ISSN: 0036-8075
• Language: English
• Keywords: Antigens; Lymphocyte Activation; Peptides; Antigen-Presenting Cells; Computer Simulation; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; Down-Regulation; Animals; Ligands; Mice, Transgenic; Monte Carlo Method; Signal Transduction; Proteins; Cell Membrane; Mice; Microscopy, Confocal; Receptor Aggregation; Major Histocompatibility Complex; Phosphorylation; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Endocytosis; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Models, Immunological; Lipid Bilayers; ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase; T-Lymphocytes