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Related Concept Videos

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
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...
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...
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse
09:37

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse

Published on: December 26, 2019

T cell polarization at the virological synapse.

Clare Jolly1

  • 1MRC Centre for Medical Molecular Virology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, W1T 4JF, UK.

Viruses
|October 14, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) spreads between CD4(+) T cells via virological synapses. This review explores how viral proteins reach these synapses and how HIV-1 exits cells during cell-to-cell transmission.

Keywords:
HIVMTOCT cellcytoskeletonpolarizationsecretionvirological synapse

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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

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cell-to-cell spread of HIV-1 occurs at virological synapses, specialized structures formed between CD4(+) T cells.
  • Viral assembly and budding are polarized to these contact sites, facilitating efficient transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of HIV-1 protein targeting to virological synapses.
  • To discuss molecular mechanisms regulating HIV-1 egress during cell-to-cell spread.
  • To explore insights from T cell polarization in other intercellular communication contexts for HIV-1 assembly and dissemination.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on HIV-1 cell-to-cell spread.
  • Analysis of studies on viral protein trafficking and assembly at virological synapses.
  • Comparative examination of T cell polarization mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Viral proteins are actively targeted to virological synapses for efficient assembly and budding.
  • Specific molecular mechanisms are being elucidated that regulate HIV-1 egress at these sites.
  • T cell polarization dynamics in other cell-cell interactions offer potential parallels to HIV-1 dissemination.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding HIV-1 targeting and egress at virological synapses is crucial for comprehending viral spread.
  • Insights from general T cell polarization may illuminate novel strategies for controlling HIV-1 transmission.
  • Further research into the molecular details of virological synapse formation and function is warranted.