Actin cytoskeleton control of the comings and goings of T lymphocytes

T lymphocytes are key players of adaptive immune responses. Upon recognition of specific peptides presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules on antigen presenting cells (APC), these cells execute subset-related functions such as killing, help and regulation. The ontogeny, the activation and the effector functions of T lymphocytes are all steps of T-lymphocyte life cycle that rely on high motility properties. These cells travel through the organism in a succession of steps, including entry into tissues, interstitial migration, APC scanning, synapse formation and tissue exit. Such ability is possible because of a plastic motility behavior, which is highly controlled in time and space. The molecular basis for the adaptable motility behavior of T lymphocytes is only starting to be unraveled. The scope of this review is to discuss recent data pointing to the key role of regulators of actin cytoskeleton remodeling in tuning distinct aspects of T-lymphocyte motility during their entry, residency and exit from tissues.