The Immunological Synapse: A Molecular Machine Controlling T Cell Activation

作者：Arash Grakoui, Shannon K. Bromley, Cenk Sumen, Mark M. Davis, Andréy S. Shaw, Paul M. Allen, Michael Loran Dustin · 发表于：Science · 年份：1999 · DOI：10.1126/science.285.5425.221 · 被引用次数：3134 · 研究领域：T-cell and B-cell Immunology、Immune Cell Function and Interaction、Immunotherapy and Immune Responses

The specialized junction between a T lymphocyte and an antigen-presenting cell, the immunological synapse, consists of a central cluster of T cell receptors surrounded by a ring of adhesion molecules. Immunological synapse formation is now shown to be an active and dynamic mechanism that allows T cells to distinguish potential antigenic ligands. Initially, T cell receptor ligands were engaged in an outermost ring of the nascent synapse. Transport of these complexes into the central cluster was dependent on T cell receptor-ligand interaction kinetics. Finally, formation of a stable central cluster at the heart of the synapse was a determinative event for T cell proliferation.