scholarly journals Microclusters as T Cell Signaling Hubs: Structure, Kinetics, and Regulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshmi Balagopalan ◽  
Kumarkrishna Raychaudhuri ◽  
Lawrence E. Samelson
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Vesicular Trafficking ◽  
Image Resolution ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Cell Surface Signaling ◽  
Kinetics Of

When T cell receptors (TCRs) engage with stimulatory ligands, one of the first microscopically visible events is the formation of microclusters at the site of T cell activation. Since the discovery of these structures almost 20 years ago, they have been studied extensively in live cells using confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. However, due to limits in image resolution and acquisition speed, the spatial relationships of signaling components within microclusters, the kinetics of their assembly and disassembly, and the role of vesicular trafficking in microcluster formation and maintenance were not finely characterized. In this review, we will summarize how new microscopy techniques have revealed novel insights into the assembly of these structures. The sub-diffraction organization of microclusters as well as the finely dissected kinetics of recruitment and disassociation of molecules from microclusters will be discussed. The role of cell surface molecules in microcluster formation and the kinetics of molecular recruitment via intracellular vesicular trafficking to microclusters is described. Finally, the role of post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination in the downregulation of cell surface signaling molecules is also discussed. These results will be related to the role of these structures and processes in T cell activation.

scholarly journals The role of β2 integrin in dendritic cell migration during infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarfa Altorki ◽  
Werner Muller ◽  
Andrew Brass ◽  
Sheena Cruickshank
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Leukocyte Adhesion ◽  
Trichuris Muris ◽  
Dendritic Cell Migration ◽  
And Function ◽  
Kinetics Of

Abstract Background Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in shaping T cell responses. To do this, DCs must be able to migrate to the site of the infection and the lymph nodes to prime T cells and initiate the appropriate immune response. Integrins such as β2 integrin play a key role in leukocyte adhesion, migration, and cell activation. However, the role of β2 integrin in DC migration and function in the context of infection-induced inflammation in the gut is not well understood. This study looked at the role of β2 integrin in DC migration and function during infection with the nematode worm Trichuris muris. Itgb2tm1Bay mice lacking functional β2 integrin and WT littermate controls were infected with T. muris and the response to infection and kinetics of the DC response was assessed. Results In infection, the lack of functional β2 integrin significantly reduced DC migration to the site of infection but not the lymph nodes. The lack of functional β2 integrin did not negatively impact T cell activation in response to T. muris infection. Conclusions This data suggests that β2 integrins are important in DC recruitment to the infection site potentially impacting the initiation of innate immunity but is dispensible for DC migration to lymph nodes and T cell priming in the context of T. muris infection.

scholarly journals Cooperative Interaction of Nck and Lck Orchestrates Optimal TCR Signaling

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 834
Author(s):  
Frederike A. Hartl ◽  
Jatuporn Ngoenkam ◽  
Esmeralda Beck-Garcia ◽  
Liz Cerqueira ◽  
Piyamaporn Wipa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Cooperative Interaction ◽  
Tcr Signaling ◽  
Binding Motifs ◽  
Adaptive Immune

The T cell antigen receptor (TCR) is expressed on T cells, which orchestrate adaptive immune responses. It is composed of the ligand-binding clonotypic TCRαβ heterodimer and the non-covalently bound invariant signal-transducing CD3 complex. Among the CD3 subunits, the CD3ε cytoplasmic tail contains binding motifs for the Src family kinase, Lck, and the adaptor protein, Nck. Lck binds to a receptor kinase (RK) motif and Nck binds to a proline-rich sequence (PRS). Both motifs only become accessible upon ligand binding to the TCR and facilitate the recruitment of Lck and Nck independently of phosphorylation of the TCR. Mutations in each of these motifs cause defects in TCR signaling and T cell activation. Here, we investigated the role of Nck in proximal TCR signaling by silencing both Nck isoforms, Nck1 and Nck2. In the absence of Nck, TCR phosphorylation, ZAP70 recruitment, and ZAP70 phosphorylation was impaired. Mechanistically, this is explained by loss of Lck recruitment to the stimulated TCR in cells lacking Nck. Hence, our data uncover a previously unknown cooperative interaction between Lck and Nck to promote optimal TCR signaling.

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