Immunological synapse arrays: patterned protein surfaces that modulate immunological synapse structure formation in T cells

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Apr 11;103(15):5700-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0509404103. Epub 2006 Apr 3.

Abstract

T cells are activated by recognition of foreign peptides displayed on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs), an event that triggers assembly of a complex microscale structure at the T cell-APC interface known as the immunological synapse (IS). It remains unresolved whether the unique physical structure of the synapse itself impacts the functional response of T cells, independent of the quantity and quality of ligands encountered by the T cell. As a first step toward addressing this question, we created multicomponent protein surfaces presenting lithographically defined patterns of tethered T cell receptor (TCR) ligands (anti-CD3 "activation sites") surrounded by a field of tethered intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), as a model substrate on which T cells could be seeded to mimic T cell-APC interactions. CD4(+) T cells seeded on these surfaces polarized and migrated; on contact with activation sites, T cells assembled an IS with a structure modulated by the physical pattern of ligand encountered. On surfaces patterned with focal spots of TCR ligand, T cells stably interacted with activation sites, proliferated, and secreted cytokines. In contrast, T cells interacting with activation sites patterned to preclude centralized clustering of TCR ligand failed to form stable contacts with activation sites, exhibited aberrant PKC- clustering in a fraction of cells, and had significantly reduced production of IFN-gamma. These results suggest that focal clustering of TCR ligand characteristic of the "mature" IS may be required under some conditions for full T cell activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigens / chemistry*
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Antigens / physiology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell