Molecular motors involved in T cell receptor clusterings

Abstract

Engagement of antigen receptors on T and B cells triggers reorganization of the cytoskeleton and ordered clustering of cell surface receptors. These receptor clusters constitute spatially organized signaling machines and form the immune synapse with antigen-presenting cells. Formation of supramolecular activation clusters appear to be essential to induce functional lymphocyte responses and have been implicated as molecular mechanisms of costimulation. The Vav1-Rho-GTPase-WASP pathway constitutes a molecular motor that relays antigen receptor stimulation to changes in the cytoskeleton and receptor clustering.