Cutting edge: dynamic redistribution of tetraspanin CD81 at the central zone of the immune synapse in both T lymphocytes and APC

J Immunol. 2002 Dec 15;169(12):6691-5. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.169.12.6691.

Abstract

The tetraspanin CD81 has been involved in T-dependent B cell-mediated immune responses. However, the behavior of CD81 during immune synapse (IS) formation has not been elucidated. We determined herein that CD81 redistributed to the contact area of T cell-B cell and T cell-dendritic cell conjugates in an Ag-dependent manner. Confocal microscopy showed that CD81 colocalized with CD3 at the central supramolecular activation complex. Videomicroscopy studies with APC or T cells transiently expressing CD81-green fluorescent protein (GFP) revealed that in both cells CD81 redistributed toward the central supramolecular activation complex. In T lymphocytes, CD81-GFP rapidly redistributed to the IS, whereas, in the APC, CD81-GFP formed a large accumulation in the contact area that later concentrated in a discrete cluster and waves of CD81 accumulated at the IS periphery. These results suggest a relevant role for CD81 in the topography of the IS that would explain its functional implication in T cell-B cell collaboration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology*
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism*
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Cell Aggregation / genetics
  • Cell Aggregation / immunology
  • Cell Communication / genetics
  • Cell Communication / immunology*
  • Clone Cells
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Cooperation / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Tetraspanin 28
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CD81 protein, human
  • Cd81 protein, mouse
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Tetraspanin 28
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins