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Related Concept Videos

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

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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...
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T Cell Types and Functions01:24

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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.
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Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

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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.
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B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

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The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
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T cell activation and effector function in the human Jurkat T cell model.

C Carrasco-Padilla1, O Aguilar-Sopeña1, Alvaro Gómez-Morón2

  • 1Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (Imas12), Madrid, Spain.

Methods in Cell Biology
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Summary

This study details protocols for using Jurkat cells to investigate T cell activation. These methods help decipher molecular dynamics of T cell receptor signaling and effector functions in various conditions.

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Confocal microscopyImmunological synapseTotal internal reflexion fluorescence microscopy

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Understanding T cell function requires deciphering molecular dynamics of T cell activation and effector function.
  • In vitro cellular models are crucial for studying intracellular molecular mechanisms in live cells.
  • The Jurkat (JK) CD4 T cell line is widely used to investigate T cell receptor (TCR) signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe complementary protocols for evaluating T cell activation.
  • To assess TCR- and costimulation-mediated activation, immunological synapse assembly, and cytokine production.
  • To provide a valuable in vitro model for studying T cell activation mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing the Jurkat (JK) CD4 T cell line.
  • Implementing diverse, complementary protocols.
  • Evaluating TCR- and costimulation-mediated T cell activation.
  • Assessing immunological synapse assembly and cytokine production.

Main Results:

  • Established protocols for evaluating T cell activation in vitro.
  • Demonstrated the utility of Jurkat cells for studying TCR signaling.
  • Provided methods to assess early activation events, synapse formation, and cytokine release.

Conclusions:

  • The described protocols offer a robust in vitro model for studying T cell activation.
  • This model is valuable for addressing molecular mechanisms in diverse pathophysiological scenarios.
  • Further research into T cell activation pathways can be facilitated by these methods.