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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Imaging the Human Immunological Synapse
Published on: December 26, 2019
Distinct Trafficking of Cell Surface and Endosomal TIM-1 to the Immune Synapse
Meriem Echbarthi1,2, Manuela Zonca1, Rachel Mellwig3
1Macromolecule Structure, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CNB-CSIC, Madrid, 28049, Spain.
Abstract:
The T cell costimulatory molecule TIM-1 (T cell/transmembrane, mucin and immunoglobulin domain protein 1) sorts mainly to endosomes in lymphoid cells. At difference from the cell surface protein, endosomal TIM-1 translocates to the immune synapse (IS), where it can contribute to antigen-dependent T cell costimulation. TIM-1 ligands increase the amount of cell surface protein, preventing its traffic to the IS. The bipolar sorting of TIM-1 observed during IS formation is determined by differences in its subcellular location, and probably modulates antigen-driven immune responses.
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