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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse
Published on: December 26, 2019
Kupfer-type immunological synapses in vivo: Raison D'être of SMAC
Izaskun Mitxitorena1, Elena Saavedra1, Carlos Barcia1
1Institut de Neurociènces, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
T cells engage with antigen-presenting cells to form immunological synapses. These intimate contacts are characterized by the complex arrangement of molecules at the intercellular interface, which has been described as the supramolecular activation cluster (SMAC). However, due to T cells functioning without SMAC formation and the difficulties of studying these complex arrangements in vivo, its biological importance has been questioned. In light of recent data, we focus this review on the putative functionality of SMACs in T-cell synaptic contacts in vivo and emphasize the therapeutic potential of SMAC manipulation in immune-driven diseases.
T cells engage with antigen-presenting cells to form immunological synapses. These intimate contacts are characterized by the complex arrangement of molecules at the intercellular interface, which has been described as the supramolecular activation cluster (SMAC). However, due to T cells functioning without SMAC formation and the difficulties of studying these complex arrangements in vivo, its biological importance has been questioned. In light of recent data, we focus this review on the putative functionality of SMACs in T-cell synaptic contacts in vivo and emphasize the therapeutic potential of SMAC manipulation in immune-driven diseases.
