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Related Concept Videos

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...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
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...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

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Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse
09:37

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse

Published on: December 26, 2019

T-cell activation through immunological synapses and kinapses.

Michael L Dustin1

  • 1Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine of the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. dustin@saturn.med.nyu.edu

Immunological Reviews
|February 16, 2008
PubMed
Summary

T-cell activation involves stable (synapse) or motile (kinapse) interactions with antigen-presenting cells. Both processes are crucial for T-cell priming, with imbalances potentially causing immune disorders.

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Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

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Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of the Immune Synapse in the Human System Using Imaging Flow Cytometry
08:35

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • T-cell activation necessitates contact between T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for T-cell receptor (TCR) and MHC-peptide complex interaction.
  • T-cell-APC interactions can be stable (immunological synapse) or motile, both contributing to T-cell priming in vivo.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms underlying stable and motile T-cell-APC interactions.
  • To introduce and define the term 'kinapse' for motile T-cell-APC contacts.
  • To explore the role of these interactions in T-cell signaling, differentiation, and potential immunopathology.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo imaging studies.
  • Analysis of T-cell-APC contact dynamics.
  • Investigation of force-generating structures and symmetry in cell interactions.

Main Results:

  • T-cell-APC contact stability is achieved through symmetrization of force-generating structures, not by halting motility.
  • Motile interactions, termed 'kinapses', can lead to T-cell signaling and tolerance.
  • Synapses and kinapses are inter-convertible states crucial for T-cell priming.

Conclusions:

  • Both stable synapses and motile kinapses are essential for normal T-cell priming.
  • The balance between synapse and kinapse states is critical; imbalances may contribute to immunopathology.
  • Understanding these dynamic interactions offers insights into immune regulation and disease.