Immunological synapse

As immunological synapse (or supramolecular adhesion function ( SMAC ) ) is known in the immunology the contact point, contact of the two cells of the immune system (such as a leukocyte with an antigen presenting cell ) or an immune cell with a tissue cell with each other. The term was coined in reference to the concept of the neuronal synapse, but differs in essential points. Above all, it is in the immunological synapse, in contrast to neural to a short-term, temporary phenomenon.

Function

Receptors and adhesion molecules on cell surfaces are not tied to a specific location but can move relatively freely within the cell membrane. When cells contact each other, there is a special arrangement of the molecules in the direction of the other cell. By the concentration of receptors and cell adhesion molecules in a place on the cell membrane and other signaling molecules in the cytoplasm of the cell directly under the point of contact important signals can be exchanged between cells.

Depending on the type of cells involved and the signaling molecules, the transmission of information via the immunological synapse lead to very different consequences for the involved cells, such as programmed cell death, phagocytosis, a cell, or increased proliferation.

Structure

Recent research has shown that the immunological synapse can be divided into a central and a peripheral region:

  • Central supramolecular activation cluster ( cSMAC ): Here concentrate the receptors that are necessary for cell activation and are involved in specific signal transduction pathways.
  • Peripheral supramolecular activation cluster ( PSMAC ): Here focus intercellular adhesion molecules ( ICAMs ), among others, also have a mechanical function in the formation and maintenance of the synapse.

Occurrence

Immunological synapses formed between cells of the immune system with each other (T- lymphocytes, B- lymphocytes, macrophages, natural killer cells ) and between immune cells and tissue cells.

  • Immunology
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