Abstract
The immunological synapse is a stable adhesive junction between a polarized immune effector cell and an antigen-bearing cell. Immunological synapses are often observed to have a striking radial symmetry in the plane of contact with a prominent central cluster of antigen receptors surrounded by concentric rings of adhesion molecules and actin-rich projections. There is a striking similarity between the radial zones of the immunological synapse and the dynamic actinomyosin modules employed by migrating cells. Breaking the symmetry of an immunological synapse generates a moving adhesive junction that can be defined as a kinapse, which facilitates signal integration by immune cells while moving over the surface of antigen-presenting cells.
Publication types
-
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Actins / metabolism*
-
Animals
-
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
-
Cell Adhesion / physiology*
-
Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
-
Cell Communication / physiology*
-
Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
-
Humans
-
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
-
Lymphocyte Activation
-
Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
-
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
-
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / ultrastructure
-
Signal Transduction / physiology
-
T-Lymphocytes / cytology
-
T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
Substances
-
Actins
-
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
-
Cell Adhesion Molecules
-
DIABLO protein, human
-
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
-
Mitochondrial Proteins
-
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell