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Updated: May 18, 2026

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse

Published on: December 26, 2019

Cell polarisation and the immunological synapse.

Karen L Angus¹, Gillian M Griffiths

¹Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, England, UK.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

|September 20, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Immune cells form an immunological synapse (IS) to direct secretion, requiring cell polarity. Novel findings reveal protein roles in centrosome relocation and actin networks enabling exocytosis during IS formation.

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Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse

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Published on: December 26, 2019

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Rapid and Robust Analysis of Cellular and Molecular Polarization Induced by Chemokine Signaling

Rapid and Robust Analysis of Cellular and Molecular Polarization Induced by Chemokine Signaling

Published on: December 12, 2014

Area of Science:

Immunology
Cell Biology
Biophysics

Background:

Directed secretion by immune cells necessitates the formation of the immunological synapse (IS) at cell-cell contact sites.
This process is accompanied by a significant induction of cell polarity.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss recent findings advancing the understanding of immunological synapse formation.
To explore the mechanisms underlying induced cell polarity in immune cells.

Main Methods:

Super-resolution imaging techniques were employed.
Identification of specific proteins involved in centrosome regulation.

Main Results:

A protein regulating centrosome relocation to the plasma membrane was identified.
Super-resolution imaging revealed a residual actin network at the IS, potentially facilitating secretory granule exocytosis.
Parallels were drawn between primary cilia and IS architecture.

Conclusions:

Novel findings have significantly advanced the understanding of IS formation.
These insights contribute to comprehending induced cell polarity in immune cells during directed secretion.