Cell adhesion molecules and actin cytoskeleton at immune synapses and kinapses

ML Dustin - Current opinion in cell biology, 2007 - Elsevier
Current opinion in cell biology, 2007Elsevier
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 …
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.
Elsevier