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Immunological synapse: a multi‐protein signalling cellular apparatus for controlling gene expression
Author(s) -
Padhan Kartika,
Varma Rajat
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2009.03241.x
Subject(s) - signalling , synapse , immunological synapse , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , gene expression , gene , protein expression , neuroscience , immune system , genetics , t cell , t cell receptor
Summary The interaction of T cells with antigen‐presenting cells is the hallmark of adaptive immunity. In vitro studies have described the formation of an immunological synapse between these cells, and intra‐vital imaging has described in great detail the dynamics of these interactions. The immunological synapse has become a paradigm to study signals exchanged between the two cells. A wealth of information has been amassed regarding the localization of signalling molecules, their kinetics and the transcription factors they activate. We continue to discover mechanisms that cause receptors and signalling molecules to compartmentalize in the cell; however, the emerging challenge lies in understanding how the immunological synapse contributes to differentiation. Here, we review some of the transcription factors activated downstream of T‐cell receptor signalling and discuss mechanisms by which antigen dose and affinity may influence differentiation. Antigen affinity might change the kind of transcription factors that are activated whereas antigen dose is likely to influence the temporal dynamics of the transcription factors. The immunological synapse is therefore likely to influence differentiation by modulating the trafficking of transcription factors and by promoting asymmetric cell division, an emerging concept.