Abstract
Abstract T cells form stable junctions, referred to as ‘Immunological Synapses’ (IS), and also moving junctions, referred to as ‘Immunological Kinapses’ (IK), with surfaces presenting relevant adhesion and activating ligands from antigen-presenting cells (APCs). We have observed that the naïve CD8 T cells are biased towards IK, whereas antigen-experienced CD8 T cells are biased toward IS. We have also observed that naïve CD8 T cells show multiple inter-conversions between IS and IK states as previously described for naïve CD4 T cells. Further, the naïve CD8 population exhibits considerable heterogeneity in IS-IK states. Inhibition of PKCθ, myosin II, and rhoA GTPase activity promotes the IS state. The memory CD8 T cells show dispersed staining of phosphorylated ERM proteins (pERM), indicating that pERM is distributed throughout the cytoplasm. In contrast, the naïve CD8 T cells have polarized accumulation of pERM proteins, with a predominant banding pattern at one end of the cell periphery above the plane of the immunological synapse. Interestingly, the polarized accumulation of pERM is lost upon inhibition of PKCθ. These results provide a mechanistic insight into the role of PKCθ in promoting IK state in naïve CD8 T cells.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
