Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Real-time Live Imaging of T-cell Signaling Complex Formation
10:31

Real-time Live Imaging of T-cell Signaling Complex Formation

Published on: June 23, 2013

The role of Tec family kinases in T cell development and function

Julie A Lucas1, Andrew T Miller, Luana O Atherly

  • 1University of Massachussets Medical School Department of Pathology, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.

Immunological Reviews
|March 5, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Tec family kinases like Itk and Rlk are crucial for T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Their disruption impacts T cell development and function, highlighting the pathway

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Tec family kinases (Itk, Rlk, Tec) are key mediators of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling.
  • These kinases regulate the activation of phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) in T cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Tec family kinases in T cell activation, differentiation, and homeostasis.
  • To understand the downstream effects of Tec family kinase disruption on T cell function.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Tec family kinase-deficient mice (Itk-/-, Rlk-/-Itk-/-).
  • Examination of T cell development, cytokine production, and T-helper cell differentiation.
  • Comparison with phenotypes of mice mutated in upstream (SLP-76, LAT, Vav1) and downstream (NFAT) signaling molecules.

Main Results:

  • Disruption of Tec family signaling profoundly affects T cell development and cytokine production.
  • Tec family kinase deficiency leads to altered T-helper cell differentiation.
  • Similar phenotypes observed in Tec-deficient mice and those with mutations in SLP-76, LAT, Vav1, or NFAT, confirming pathway importance.

Conclusions:

  • Tec family kinases are essential for full T cell activation via the TCR signaling pathway.
  • This pathway is critical for regulating T cell activation, differentiation, and maintaining immune homeostasis.
  • Understanding Tec kinase signaling provides insights into T cell-mediated immunity.

More Related Videos

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells07:20

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

Published on: August 8, 2014

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases01:26

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases

Receptor tyrosine kinases or RTKs are membrane-bound receptors that phosphorylate specific tyrosine on protein substrates. RTKs regulate cellular growth, differentiation, survival, and migration. They contain an extracellular ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytosolic tail with intrinsic kinase activity. Several extracellular signaling molecules activate RTKs in one or more ways and relay the signal downstream. Ligands such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...