Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions01:01

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions

Type II hypersensitivity involves IgG and IgM antibodies targeting cell surface antigens, leading to cell destruction. This can occur through complement activation, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), or acting as opsonins for phagocytosis. When excessive, these reactions cause significant tissue damage.Drug-induced hemolytic anemia is a common example, where drugs like penicillin or cephalosporins bind to red blood cells, forming drug-protein complexes. These complexes...
The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Human CD8-iTreg are potent GVHD suppressors and tumoricidal effectors by release of Granzyme-K <sup>+</sup> Supramolecular Attack Particles.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Using peptide-exchange systems to interrogate peptide-specific KIR binding to HLA Class I.

Discovery immunology·2026
Same author

PTPN22 regulates T cell synapse formation through PSTPIP1-dependent actin remodeling.

Science signaling·2026
Same author

PD-1 signaling and PD-1 blockade-mediated tumor control are established at microvillar T cell contacts.

Science immunology·2026
Same author

Kv1.3 palmitoylation regulates spatial distribution and channel removal from the immunological synapse.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2026
Same author

isMap - immunological synapse map analysis program.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same journal

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion in the naïve T Cell Receptor Repertoire.

Immunological reviews·2026
Same journal

Macrophage Plasticity and Immune Remodeling in Ischemic Heart Failure.

Immunological reviews·2026
Same journal

The T Cell Receptor: Molecular Sensor, Therapeutic Mediator and Probabilistic Driver of Adaptive Immunity.

Immunological reviews·2026
Same journal

Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells in the Heart: An Emerging Role in Chronic Inflammation.

Immunological reviews·2026
Same journal

Rethinking Immunity in Tissues: The Biology of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures.

Immunological reviews·2026
Same journal

Inflammation-Driven Lymphoid Structures: Organization, Function, and Clinical Impact Across Autoimmunity, Cancer, and Checkpoint Toxicity.

Immunological reviews·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse
09:37

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse

Published on: December 26, 2019

Cytotoxic immunological synapses.

Michael L Dustin1, Eric O Long

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

Immunological Reviews
|June 12, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Natural killer (NK) cells and T cells use cytotoxic immunological synapses to eliminate infected or tumor cells. Recent studies clarify how these synapses function, paving the way for new therapies.

More Related Videos

Assessment of the Synaptic Interface of Primary Human T Cells from Peripheral Blood and Lymphoid Tissue
06:27

Assessment of the Synaptic Interface of Primary Human T Cells from Peripheral Blood and Lymphoid Tissue

Published on: July 30, 2018

Visualization of the Immunological Synapse by Dual Color Time-gated Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Nanoscopy
10:00

Visualization of the Immunological Synapse by Dual Color Time-gated Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Nanoscopy

Published on: March 24, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse
09:37

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse

Published on: December 26, 2019

Assessment of the Synaptic Interface of Primary Human T Cells from Peripheral Blood and Lymphoid Tissue
06:27

Assessment of the Synaptic Interface of Primary Human T Cells from Peripheral Blood and Lymphoid Tissue

Published on: July 30, 2018

Visualization of the Immunological Synapse by Dual Color Time-gated Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Nanoscopy
10:00

Visualization of the Immunological Synapse by Dual Color Time-gated Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Nanoscopy

Published on: March 24, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The adaptive immune system eliminates infected and tumor cells via cytotoxic immunological synapses.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells, traditionally viewed as innate, exhibit adaptive capabilities and utilize cytotoxic or inhibitory synapses.
  • CD8(+) T cells serve as a model for immunological synapses, involving directed secretion and apoptosis induction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of cytotoxic immunological synapses.
  • To explore the molecular organization and signaling within these synapses.
  • To discuss the potential of applying this knowledge to therapeutic development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent studies on cytotoxic immunological synapses.
  • Analysis of in vivo imaging approaches.
  • Integration of findings on NK cell and T cell synapse function.

Main Results:

  • Recent research has begun to validate hypotheses regarding the molecular organization of immunological synapses.
  • In vivo imaging provides insights into the physiological relevance of cytotoxic synapse processes.
  • NK cells integrate diverse signals through their synapses, contributing to adaptive immunity.

Conclusions:

  • Cytotoxic immunological synapses are crucial for adaptive immunity and cancer surveillance.
  • Advances in understanding synapse dynamics are clarifying NK cell and T cell functions.
  • Further research holds promise for developing novel immunotherapies targeting these cellular interactions.