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T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...

T Cell Types and Functions

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...

Complement System

Complement System

The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a...

Antigen Presenting Cells

Antigen Presenting Cells

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...

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Multicolor Flow Cytometry-based Quantification of Mitochondria and Lysosomes in T Cells

Multicolor Flow Cytometry-based Quantification of Mitochondria and Lysosomes in T Cells

Published on: January 9, 2019

Complement and human T cell metabolism: Location, location, location.

Erin E West¹, Natalia Kunz¹, Claudia Kemper^1,2,3

¹Complement and Inflammation Research Section, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Immunological Reviews

|March 14, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The complement system, traditionally known for immunity, is now found inside cells regulating T cell metabolism. This discovery, termed the complosome, reveals new roles for this ancient immune system.

Keywords:

CD46 T cells complement complosome metabolism

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Cell Biology
Metabolism

Background:

The complement system is an ancient immune defense mechanism, primarily known for its functions in serum.
Recent research has uncovered non-canonical roles and locations for complement components.
The intracellular complement system, or complosome, has been identified.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize current knowledge on the complosome's functions in T cell metabolism.
To explore the non-canonical roles of intracellular innate immune sensing systems.
To propose an evolutionary perspective on complement's connection to cell physiology.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of existing research on the complosome.
Analysis of the role of intracellular complement in T cell metabolic pathways.
Comparative analysis with other intracellular innate sensing systems.

Main Results:

The complosome plays a key role in regulating metabolic pathways essential for T cell responses.
Intracellular complement activity extends beyond pathogen defense, impacting basic cell functions.
Emerging evidence suggests a broader role for complement in cellular physiology.

Conclusions:

The complosome represents a significant expansion of our understanding of the complement system's functions.
Complement's role in cell metabolism highlights its deep evolutionary connection to fundamental cellular processes.
A location-centric evolutionary view supports complement's involvement in intracellular regulation.