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T cell microvilli constitute immunological synaptosomes that carry messages to antigen-presenting cells

Hye-Ran Kim1,2, YeVin Mun1,2, Kyung-Sik Lee1,2

  • 1School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, 61005, Korea.

Nature Communications
|September 9, 2018
PubMed

Insights

T cell microvilli release particles containing T cell receptors (TCR) onto antigen-presenting cells (APCs). These "immunological synaptosomes" deliver T cell activation signals to APCs.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Microvilli on T cells are hypothesized to survey antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or aid adhesion.
  • Essential functions of T cell microvilli during T cell activation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and function of T cell microvilli during T cell activation and interaction with APCs.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of T cell-APC interactions using microscopy and biochemical assays.
  • Characterization of released T cell microvilli particles (TMPs) using proteomic and molecular techniques.
  • Investigated the role of arrestin-domain-containing protein 1 and vacuolar protein-sorting-associated protein 4 in TMP formation.

Main Results:

  • Antigen-specific T cells deposit TCR-enriched microvilli-derived particles (TMPs) onto APCs via trogocytosis.
  • T cell microvilli continuously carry T cell receptors (TCR) and are released as TMPs.
  • TMPs contain arrestin-domain-containing protein 1, facilitating membrane budding and transformation into smaller, exosome-sized particles with vacuolar protein-sorting-associated protein 4.
  • CD4+ T cell-derived TMPs are enriched with LFA-2/CD2 and cytokines that activate dendritic cells.

Conclusions:

  • T cell microvilli function as "immunological synaptosomes" that transfer molecular signals to APCs.
  • This process involves the release of TCR-enriched TMPs, mediated by specific proteins.
  • T cell microvilli play a crucial role in intercellular communication within the immune system.

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