Intracellular mediators of CXCR4-dependent signaling in T cells

Laura Patrussi1, Cosima T Baldari

  • 1Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy. patrussi2@unisi.it

Immunology Letters
|December 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The signaling pathways controlling T lymphocyte migration via CXCR4-CXCL12 interaction are largely unknown. This review summarizes current knowledge on the signaling machinery behind T cell chemotaxis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • T lymphocyte migration is crucial for immune responses.
  • The CXCR4-CXCL12 axis mediates T cell trafficking.
  • Cytoskeletal rearrangements drive cell migration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the signaling pathways involved in T lymphocyte chemotaxis.
  • To summarize the molecular machinery controlling T cell migration stimulated by CXCL12.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of signaling pathways.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms in T cell migration.
  • Focus on CXCR4-CXCL12-mediated chemotaxis.

Main Results:

  • CXCR4-CXCL12 interaction initiates intracellular signaling cascades.
  • These pathways regulate actin dynamics and cell shape changes.
  • Key signaling molecules and their roles are identified.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding these pathways is vital for controlling T cell migration.
  • Further research can elucidate therapeutic targets for immune disorders.

Related Concept Videos

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Intracellular Signaling Cascades01:24

Intracellular Signaling Cascades

Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
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...
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...
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...
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...