LFA-1 and Kindlin-3 enable the collaborative transport of SLP-76 microclusters by myosin and dynein motors
Integrin engagement within the immune synapse enhances T cell activation, but our understanding of this process is incomplete. In response to T cell receptor (TCR) ligation, SLP-76 (LCP2), ADAP (FYB), and SKAP-55 (SKAP1) are recruited into microclusters and activate integrins via the effectors Talin-1 and Kindlin-3. We postulated that integrins influence the centripetal transport and signaling of SLP-76 microclusters via these linkages. We show that contractile myosin filaments surround and are co-transported with SLP-76 microclusters, and that TCR ligand density governs the centripetal movement of both structures. Centripetal transport requires formin activity, actomyosin contraction, microtubule integrity, and dynein motor function. Although immobilized VLA-4 (a4b1) and LFA-1 (aLb2) ligands arrest the centripetal movement of SLP-76 microclusters and myosin filaments, VLA-4 acts distally, while LFA-1 acts in the lamellum. Integrin b2, Kindlin-3, and Zyxin are required for complete centripetal transport, while integrin b1 and Talin-1 are not. CD69 upregulation is similarly dependent on integrin b2, Kindlin-3, and Zyxin, but not Talin-1. These findings highlight the integration of cytoskeletal systems within the immune synapse and reveal extracellular ligand-independent roles for LFA-1 and Kindlin-3.