Peripheral Supramolecular Activation Cluster Research Articles

Formation of in vivo immunological synapses (IS) between CTLs and virally infected astrocytes leads astrocyte to polarization mediated by the activation of a Rho‐GTPase signaling pathway.

Immunological synapses (IS) mediate intercellular communication between T cells and APCs. T cell polarization at the Kupfer‐type IS consists of a peripheral supramolecular activation cluster (pSMAC), which is high in LFA‐1, and a central SMAC, high in TCR. Target virally infected astrocytes also polarize towards the immunological synapse in vivo. Astrocyte polarization in response to physical lesions in vitro is mediated through the activation of a signaling pathway mediated by a family of Rho‐GTPases, and coordinated by Cdc42. Here we tested the hypothesis that that stimulation of a Rho‐GTPase cascade underlies astrocyte polarization in response to an immune attack in vitro and in vivo. To do so, we infected brain astrocytes with a novel adenoviral (Ad) vector expressing a dominant negative variant of Cdc42 (Cdc42DN) and Thymidine Kinase (TK), a marker of infected cells, and analyzed their responses to a T cell attack. We show that during an anti‐viral immune response, infected astrocytes contacted by CTLs become polarized through the activation of a Rho‐GTPase signaling pathway.This work was funded by grants from NINDS/NIH.

Mechanisms for segregating T cell receptor and adhesion molecules during immunological synapse formation in Jurkat T cells

T cells interacting with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) form an "immunological synapse" (IS), a bull's-eye pattern composed of a central supramolecular activation cluster enriched with T cell receptors (TCRs) surrounded by a ring of adhesion molecules (a peripheral supramolecular activation cluster). The mechanism responsible for segregating TCR and adhesion molecules remains poorly understood. Here, we show that immortalized Jurkat T cells interacting with a planar lipid bilayer (mimicking an APC) will form an IS, thereby providing an accessible model system for studying the cell biological processes underlying IS formation. We found that an actin-dependent process caused TCR and adhesion proteins to cluster at the cell periphery, but these molecules appeared to segregate from one another at the earliest stages of microdomain formation. The TCR and adhesion microdomains attached to actin and were carried centripetally by retrograde flow. However, only the TCR microdomains penetrated into the actin-depleted cell center, whereas the adhesion microdomains appeared to be unstable without an underlying actin cytoskeleton. Our results reveal that TCR and adhesion molecules spatially partition from one another well before the formation of a mature IS and that differential actin interactions help to shape and maintain the final bull's-eye pattern of the IS.

LFA-1-Mediated T Cell Costimulation through Increased Localization of TCR/Class II Complexes to the Central Supramolecular Activation Cluster and Exclusion of CD45 from the Immunological Synapse

T cell activation is associated with a dramatic reorganization of cell surface proteins and associated signaling components into discrete subdomains within the immunological synapse in T cell:APC conjugates. However, the signals that direct the localization of these proteins and the functional significance of this organization have not been established. In this study, we have used wild-type and LFA-1-deficient, DO11.10 TCR transgenic T cells to examine the role of LFA-1 in the formation of the immunological synapse. We found that coengagement of LFA-1 is not required for the formation of the central supramolecular activation cluster (cSMAC) region, but does increase the accumulation of TCR/class II complexes within the cSMAC. In addition, LFA-1 is required for the recruitment and localization of talin into the peripheral supramolecular activation cluster region and exclusion of CD45 from the synapse. The ability of LFA-1 to increase the amount of TCR engaged during synapse formation and segregate the phosphatase, CD45, from the synapse suggests that LFA-1 might enhance proximal TCR signaling. To test this, we combined flow cytometry-based cell adhesion and calcium-signaling assays and found that coengagement of LFA-1 significantly increased the magnitude of the intracellular calcium response following Ag presentation. These data support the idea that in addition to its important role on regulating T cell:APC adhesion, coengagement of LFA-1 can enhance T cell signaling, and suggest that this may be accomplished in part through the organization of proteins within the immunological synapse.

Target APC polarization at immunological synapses (IS) in vivo: infected astrocytes polarize towards CTL cells during the brain antiviral immune response. (91.13)

Abstract IS mediate intercellular communication between T cells and APCs. T cells’ structure and membrane proteins are polarized at IS. T cell polarization at the IS consists of a peripheral supramolecular activation cluster (pSMAC), which is high in LFA-1, and low in TCR, and a central SMAC, high in TCR, and low in LFA-1. The MTOC, Golgi and secretory vesicles are also polarized towards the IS. Here we demonstrate that during an anti-viral immune response in the brain, APCs are also polarized. Brain astrocytes were infected with an adenoviral (Ad) vector expressing Thymidine Kinase (TK), a marker of infected cells. 30 days later we immunized systemically against Ads, and 14 days later animals were sacrificed and brains prepared for microscopical analysis. Brain sections were immunostained for TCR, LFA-1, TK, EAAT2, γ-Tubulin, α-Tubulin and GM130. Confocal analysis revealed that target infected astrocytes, normally a non-polarized cell, became completely repolarized. Target astrocytes retract all processes and form a single large protrusion towards the T cell. The MTOC and Golgi are then targeted towards and into the protrusion, and membrane proteins become polarized. These results demonstrate that CTL signaling, potentially mediated through IS, induces profound morphological changes in target APCs. This work was funded by grants from NINDS/NIH.

Transfer of NKG2D and MICB at the cytotoxic NK cell immune synapse correlates with a reduction in NK cell cytotoxic function.

Although transfer of membrane proteins has been shown to occur during immune cell interactions, the functional significance of this process is not well understood. Here we describe the intercellular transfer of NKG2D and MHC class I chain-related molecule (MIC) B proteins at the cytotoxic natural killer cell immune synapse (cNK-IS). MICB expressed on the 721.221 cell line induced clustering of NKG2D at the central supramolecular activation cluster, surrounded by a peripheral supramolecular activation cluster containing F-actin. Moreover, natural killer (NK) cell membrane-connective structures formed during cytotoxic interactions contained F-actin, perforin, and NKG2D. NKG2D transfer depended on binding to MICB and was specific because transfer of other molecules not involved in NK-IS formation was not observed. Transfer of MICB to NK cells also was noted, suggesting a bidirectional exchange of receptor/ligand pairs at cNK-IS. Experiments designed to test the functional significance of these observations revealed that brief interactions between NK cells and MICB expressing target cells led to a reduction in NKG2D-dependent NK cytotoxicity. These data demonstrate interchange of an activating receptor and its ligand at the cNK-IS and document a correlation between synapse organization, intercellular protein transfer, and compromised NK cell function after interaction with a susceptible target cell.

Uncoupling of T-cell effector functions by inhibitory killer immunoglobulin–like receptors

AbstractKiller immunoglobulin–like receptors (KIRs) are a family of regulatory cell-surface molecules expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and memory T-cell subsets. Their ability to prevent the formation of an activation platform and to inhibit NK cell activation is the basis of the missing self model of NK cell function. The benefits of KIR expression for T-cell biology are unclear. We studied how KIR2DL2 regulates T-cell function. Engagement of KIR2DL2 by the ligand human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–Cw3 did not affect conjugate formation between CD4+KIR2DL2+ T cells and superantigen-pulsed target cells or the development of mature immune synapses with lipid rafts. KIR2DL2 and the corresponding HLA-C ligand were initially recruited to the peripheral supramolecular activation cluster (pSMAC). Consequently, KIR2DL2 engagement did not inhibit the phosphorylation of early signaling proteins and T-cell–receptor (TCR)–mediated cytotoxicity or granule exocytosis. After 15-30 minutes, KIR2DL2 moved to the central supramolecular activation cluster (cSMAC), colocalizing with CD3. TCR synapses dissociated, and phosphorylated phospholipase C (PLC)–γ1, Vav1, and extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) were reduced 90 minutes after stimulation. Gene array studies documented that the inhibition of late signaling events by KIR2DL2 affected transcriptional gene activation. We propose that KIRs on memory T cells operate to uncouple effector functions by modifying the transcriptional profile while leaving granule exocytosis unabated.

LFA-1-dependent lipid raft recruitment of DNAM-1 (CD226) in CD4+ T cell

Upon antigen recognition by the TCR, both the leukocyte adhesion molecules DNAM-1 and leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) associate with lipid rafts and form peripheral supra-molecular activation clusters that surround central-supra-molecular activation clusters at the immunological synapse. The serine residue in the cytoplasmic tail of DNAM-1 is responsible for this association of DNAM-1 with lipid rafts. The TCR-mediated signal also induces physical association of DNAM-1 with LFA-1, for which the serine phosphorylation of DNAM-1 is also responsible. However, how the serine residue is involved in lipid raft recruitment of DNAM-1 has remained unclear. Here, we show that, although the TCR-mediated signal induced the serine phosphorylation of DNAM-1, DNAM-1 did not associate with lipid rafts in CD4+ T cells derived from mice deficient in LFA-1 expression, indicating that lipid raft recruitment of DNAM-1 depends on LFA-1 expression. These results suggest that the serine phosphorylation of DNAM-1 primarily induces physical association of DNAM-1 with LFA-1, which then takes DNAM-1 into lipid raft compartment.

Requirement of the serine at residue 329 for lipid raft recruitment of DNAM-1 (CD226)

Upon antigen recognition by the TCR, leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) physically associates with the leukocyte adhesion molecule DNAM-1 (CD226), for which the serine phosphorylation at residue 329 (S329) of DNAM-1 plays a critical role. The TCR-mediated signal also induces the formation of the immunological synapse (IS), in which lipid raft-associated molecules, including LFA-1, DNAM-1, protein kinase C, Fyn and others, are recruited, resulting in efficient signal transduction for T cell activation. However, the molecular mechanisms of lipid raft recruitment of many associated molecules have remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that, while both wild-type (WT) and mutant DNAM-1 at S329 were polarized at the IS, the WT, but not mutant, DNAM-1 associated with lipid rafts at the peripheral supra-molecular activation clusters. We also demonstrate that the association of DNAM-1 with lipid rafts was necessary for the tyrosine phosphorylation of DNAM-1, which is essential for LFA-1-mediated co-stimulatory signaling for naive T cell proliferation and differentiation.

ADAP-SLP-76 binding differentially regulates supramolecular activation cluster (SMAC) formation relative to T cell-APC conjugation.

T cell–APC conjugation as mediated by leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)–intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 binding is followed by formation of the supramolecular activation cluster (SMAC) at the immunological synapse. The intracellular processes that regulate SMAC formation and its influence on T cell function are important questions to be addressed. Here, using a mutational approach, we demonstrate that binding of adaptor adhesion and degranulation promoting adaptor protein (ADAP) to SLP-76 differentially regulates peripheral SMAC (pSMAC) formation relative to conjugation. Although mutation of the YDDV sites (termed M12) disrupted SLP-76 SH2 domain binding and prevented the ability of ADAP to increase conjugation and LFA-1 clustering, M12 acted selectively as a dominant negative (DN) inhibitor of pSMAC formation, an effect that was paralleled by a DN effect on interleukin-2 production. ADAP also colocalized with LFA-1 at the immunological synapse. Our findings identify ADAP–SLP-76 binding as a signaling event that differentially regulates SMAC formation, and support a role for SMAC formation in T cell cytokine production.

Dynamic redistribution of the activating 2B4/SAP complex at the cytotoxic NK cell immune synapse.

The 2B4 molecule (CD244) has been described as a coreceptor in human NK cell activation. However, the behavior of 2B4 during the cytotoxic NK cell immune synapse (NK-IS) formation remains undetermined. In this study, we demonstrate the redistribution of 2B4 and the signaling adaptor molecule, signaling lymphocyte activation molecule-associated protein (SAP), to the cytotoxic NK-IS upon formation of conjugates between resting NK cells and EBV-infected 721.221 human cells. Confocal microscopy showed that 2B4 localized at the central supramolecular activation cluster, surrounded by a peripheral supramolecular activation cluster containing talin within NK cell and ICAM-1 on target cells. Videomicroscopy studies with 2B4-GFP-transfected NK cells revealed that 2B4 redistributed to cytotoxic NK-IS as soon as the cell contact occurred. Simultaneously, a SAP-GFP also clustered at the contact site, where it remained during the interaction period. The 2B4 molecular clusters remained bound to the target cell even after NK cell detachment. These results underscore the function of 2B4 as an adhesion molecule and suggest a relevant role in the initial binding, scanning of target cells, and formation of cytotoxic NK-IS. Finally, these findings are indicative of an important role of the activating 2B4/signaling lymphocyte activation molecule-associated protein complex during the recognition of EBV-infected cells.

The mature activating natural killer cell immunologic synapse is formed in distinct stages

Rationale Natural killer (NK) cells form a structure called the activating NK cell immunologic synapse (NKIS) at their interface with susceptible target cells. These studies were designed to further elucidate this structure as well as the cytoskeletal requirements for its formation. Methods Ex vivo NK cells from normal individuals or patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) were evaluated in conjugation with susceptible target cells by laser scanning confocal microscopy. An immortalized NK cell line transfected with a CD2-green fluorescent protein construct using a retroviral expression system was also studied. Results The mature activating NKIS contains a central (c) and peripheral (p) supramolecular activation cluster (SMAC) and includes polarized surface receptors, filamentous actin (F-actin) and perforin. Evaluation of the NKIS revealed CD2, CD11a, CD11b and F-actin in the pSMAC with perforin in the cSMAC. The accumulation of F-actin and surface receptors was rapid and depended upon WAS protein (WASp)-driven actin polymerization. These processes were impaired in the presence of an actin polymerization inhibitor (by >75%, p<0.05) or in cells from patients with WAS (by >50%, p<0.05). The accumulation at and arrangement of these molecules in the pSMAC was not affected by microtubule depolymerization. The polarization of perforin, however was slower than for F-actin or surface receptors (15 vs 2.5 min) and required intact actin, WASp and microtubule function (reduced by >50% by inhibitors or in patient cells, p<0.05). Conclusions The process of CD2, CD11a, CD11b and F-actin accumulation in the pSMAC and perforin accumulation in the cSMAC of the NKIS are sequential processes with distinct cytoskeletal requirements.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes form an antigen-independent ring junction.

Immunological synapses are organized cell-cell junctions between T lymphocytes and APCs composed of an adhesion ring, the peripheral supramolecular activation cluster (pSMAC), and a central T cell receptor cluster, the central supramolecular activation cluster (cSMAC). In CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes, the immunological synapse is thought to facilitate specific killing by confining cytotoxic agents to the synaptic cleft. We have investigated the interaction of human CTLs and helper T cells with supported planar bilayers containing ICAM-1. This artificial substrate provides identical ligands to CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, allowing a quantitative comparison. We found that cytotoxic T lymphocytes form a ring junction similar to a pSMAC in response to high surface densities of ICAM-1 in the planar bilayer. MICA, a ligand for NKG2D, facilitated the ring junction formation at lower surface densities of ICAM-1. ICAM-1 and MICA are upregulated in tissues by inflammation- and stress-associated signaling, respectively. Activated CD8(+) T cells formed fivefold more ring junctions than did activated CD4(+) T cells. The ring junction contained lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 and talin, but did not trigger polarization and granule translocation to the interface. This result has specific implications for the mechanism of effective CTL hunting for antigen in tissues. Abnormalities in this process may alter CTL reactivity.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes form an antigen-independent ring junction

Immunological synapses are organized cell-cell junctions between T lymphocytes and APCs composed of an adhesion ring, the peripheral supramolecular activation cluster (pSMAC), and a central T cell receptor cluster, the central supramolecular activation cluster (cSMAC). In CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, the immunological synapse is thought to facilitate specific killing by confining cytotoxic agents to the synaptic cleft. We have investigated the interaction of human CTLs and helper T cells with supported planar bilayers containing ICAM-1. This artificial substrate provides identical ligands to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, allowing a quantitative comparison. We found that cytotoxic T lymphocytes form a ring junction similar to a pSMAC in response to high surface densities of ICAM-1 in the planar bilayer. MICA, a ligand for NKG2D, facilitated the ring junction formation at lower surface densities of ICAM-1. ICAM-1 and MICA are upregulated in tissues by inflammation- and stress-associated signaling, respectively. Activated CD8+ T cells formed fivefold more ring junctions than did activated CD4+ T cells. The ring junction contained lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 and talin, but did not trigger polarization and granule translocation to the interface. This result has specific implications for the mechanism of effective CTL hunting for antigen in tissues. Abnormalities in this process may alter CTL reactivity.

The mature activating natural killer cell immunologic synapse is formed in distinct stages.

Natural killer (NK) cells form a structure at their interface with a susceptible target cell called the activating NK cell immunologic synapse (NKIS). The mature activating NKIS contains a central and peripheral supramolecular activation cluster (SMAC), and includes polarized surface receptors, filamentous actin (F-actin) and perforin. Evaluation of the NKIS in human NK cells revealed CD2, CD11a, CD11b and F-actin in the peripheral SMAC (pSMAC) with perforin in the central SMAC. The accumulation of F-actin and surface receptors was rapid and depended on Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein-driven actin polymerization. The accumulation at and arrangement of these molecules in the pSMAC was not affected by microtubule depolymerization. The polarization of perforin, however was slower and required intact actin, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein, and microtubule function. Thus the process of CD2, CD11a, CD11b, and F-actin accumulation in the pSMAC and perforin accumulation in the central SMAC of the NKIS are sequential processes with distinct cytoskeletal requirements.

CD28 plays a critical role in the segregation of PKC theta within the immunologic synapse.

The signaling pathways that lead to the localization of cellular protein to the area of interaction between T cell and antigen-presenting cell and the mechanism by which these molecules are further sorted to the peripheral supramolecular activation cluster or central supramolecular activation cluster regions of the immunologic synapse are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the functional involvement of CD28 costimulation in the T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated immunologic synapse formation with respect to protein kinase C (PKC)theta; localization. We showed that CD3 crosslinking alone was sufficient to induce PKC theta; capping in naive CD4(+) T cells. Studies with pharmacologic inhibitors and knockout mice showed that the TCR-derived signaling that drives PKC theta; membrane translocation requires the Src family kinase, Lck, but not Fyn. In addition, a time course study of the persistence of T cell molecules to the immunologic synapse indicated that PKC theta;, unlike TCR, persisted in the synapse for at least 4 h, a time that is sufficient for commitment of a T cell to cell division. Finally, by using TCR-transgenic T cells from either wild-type or CD28-deficient mice, we showed that CD28 expression was required for the formation of the mature immunologic synapse, because antigen stimulation of CD28(-) T cells led to a diffuse pattern of localization of PKC theta; and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 in the immunologic synapse, in contrast to the central supramolecular activation cluster localization of PKC theta; in CD28(+) T cells.