Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026
08:32
Extraction of Tissue Antigens for Functional Assays
Published on: September 10, 2012
11.3K
Tetraspanins as Organizers of Antigen-Presenting Cell Function
Maria Laura Saiz1,2, Vera Rocha-Perugini1,2, Francisco Sánchez-Madrid1,2,3
1Servicio de Inmunología, Hospital de la Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
Frontiers in Immunology
|June 8, 2018
Summary
Tetraspanins are key membrane proteins regulating antigen-presenting cell (APC) functions. They control immune receptor activation, APC migration, and antigen presentation, crucial for adaptive immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are vital for adaptive immunity, processing antigens and presenting them to T lymphocytes.
- Tetraspanins are membrane proteins organizing microdomains that integrate immune receptors, adhesion molecules, and signaling proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of tetraspanins in regulating APC biology and immune responses.
- To highlight tetraspanin involvement in antigen processing, T-cell priming, and APC migration.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes existing research on tetraspanin function in APCs.
- Focuses on molecular mechanisms and immunological outcomes.
Main Results:
- Tetraspanins modulate immune receptor activation thresholds and APC migration via adhesion molecule regulation.
- They are critical for antigen processing and MHC-II-dependent antigen presentation to T cells.
- Tetraspanins influence T-cell co-stimulation, impacting the priming of naive T cells.
Conclusions:
- Tetraspanins are essential regulators of APC function, influencing multiple stages of the immune response.
- Understanding tetraspanin roles offers insights into optimizing adaptive immunity and immune-based therapies.
Keywords:
antigen presentationantigen-presenting cellscell migrationimmune receptorstetraspanin-enriched microdomainstetraspaninsMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Antigen Presenting Cells
3.3K
The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that protects the body from foreign invaders. T cells, a type of white blood cell, play a crucial role in this process. They recognize and attack foreign substances, such as pathogens, that enter the body.
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
3.3K
01:09Levels of Organization
141.4K
Biological organization is the classification of biological structures, ranging from atoms at the bottom of the hierarchy to the Earth's biosphere. Each level of the hierarchy represents an increase in complexity that builds upon the previous level.
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...
141.4K
03:02Organic Compounds
57.5K
All living things are formed mostly of carbon compounds called organic compounds. The category of organic compounds includes both natural and synthetic compounds that contain carbon. Although a single, precise definition has yet to be identified by the chemistry community, most agree that a defining trait of organic molecules is the presence of carbon as the principal element, bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms. However, some carbon-containing compounds such as carbonates, cyanides, and...
57.5K
00:53Transgenic Organisms
33.5K
Overview
33.5K
02:07Organization of Genes
73.6K
Overview
73.6K
02:45Functional Groups
89.1K
Functional groups are a group of atoms with characteristic properties, which when linked to the carbon skeleton of a molecule, alter the properties of that molecule. For example, the presence of certain functional groups on a molecule will make them hydrophilic, whereas others will make them hydrophobic. These functional groups are an indispensable part of organic chemistry and important components of biological molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Each...
89.1K