Morphological Definition of Actin Architecture at the T Cell Immunological Synapse

T lymphocytes (T cells) are the major mediators of adaptive immune response. They detect pathogens primarily via the interaction of their T cell receptor (TCR) with the cognate pathogen-derived peptide displayed in the context of MHC on the infected cell. A critical step in T cell activation is the formation of immunological synapse, a specialized cell-cell conjugate interface between the T cell and infected cell, where massive TCR-induced actin remodeling and polymerization take place. Dynamic actin polymerization at the immunological synapse is essential for T cell activation and subsequently, immune response.