Super-resolution characterization of TCR-dependent signaling clusters

Eilon Sherman, Valarie Barr, Lawrence E. Samelson*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multi-molecular signaling complexes drive the earliest events of immune cell activation via immunoreceptors with unexplained specificity and speed. Fluorescence microscopy has shown that these complexes form microclusters at the plasma membrane of activated T cells upon engagement of their antigen receptors (TCRs). Although crucial for cell function, much remains to be learned about the molecular content, fine structure, formation mechanisms, and function of these microclusters. Recent advancements in super-resolution microscopy have enabled the study of signaling microclusters at the single molecule level with resolution down to approximately 20 nm. These techniques have now helped to characterize the size distributions of signaling clusters at the plasma membrane of intact cells and to shed light on the formation mechanisms that govern their assembly. Surprisingly, dynamic and functional nanostructures have been identified within the signaling clusters. We expect that these novel methodologies, combined with older techniques, will shed new light on the nature of signaling clusters and their critical role in T-cell activation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21-35
Number of pages15
JournalImmunological Reviews
Volume251
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Microclusters
  • Nanostructure
  • Single molecule microscopy
  • Super-resolution microscopy
  • T-cell activation

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