Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
16:10
A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins
Published on: March 22, 2012
24.2K
Microclusters as T Cell Signaling Hubs: Structure, Kinetics, and Regulation
Lakshmi Balagopalan1, Kumarkrishna Raychaudhuri1, Lawrence E Samelson1
1Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|February 12, 2021
Summary
New microscopy reveals how T cell receptor (TCR) microclusters form and change during T cell activation. These insights into molecular dynamics and trafficking are crucial for understanding immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- T cell activation involves T cell receptor (TCR) microcluster formation.
- Previous studies using confocal and TIRF microscopy had limitations in resolution and speed.
- Key aspects like spatial organization, kinetics, and vesicular trafficking remained poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how advanced microscopy techniques provide novel insights into T cell microcluster assembly.
- To discuss the sub-diffraction organization and molecular kinetics within microclusters.
- To explore the role of vesicular trafficking and post-translational modifications in T cell activation.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advancements in live-cell microscopy techniques.
- Analysis of studies employing super-resolution microscopy.
- Integration of findings on molecular dynamics, trafficking, and signaling.
Main Results:
- New microscopy reveals sub-diffraction organization of TCR microclusters.
- Detailed kinetics of molecular recruitment and dissociation are now characterized.
- The role of intracellular vesicular trafficking in microcluster dynamics is elucidated.
- Ubiquitination's role in downregulating cell surface signaling molecules is discussed.
Conclusions:
- Advanced microscopy has significantly enhanced our understanding of T cell microcluster formation and dynamics.
- These findings provide a refined view of molecular processes underlying T cell activation.
- Future research can leverage these insights for therapeutic strategies targeting T cell signaling.
Related Concept Videos
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
14.1K
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...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
14.1K
01:19Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
6.9K
Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.9K
01:30Assembly of Signaling Complexes
6.2K
Multiprotein signaling complexes are formed in a dynamic process involving protein-protein interactions at the cytoplasmic domain of transmembrane receptors or enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins associated with the receptor. These complexes ensure the activation and propagation of intracellular signals that regulate cell functions.
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
6.2K
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
3.2K
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
3.2K
01:24Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
8.4K
The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
8.4K
01:22Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
7.2K
The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity.
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
7.2K