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Review
. 2014 Nov;2(11):1023-33.
doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-14-0161.

The immunological synapse

Michael L Dustin  1
Affiliations
Review

The immunological synapse

Michael L Dustin. Cancer Immunol Res. 2014 Nov.

Abstract

The molecular interactions underlying regulation of the immune response take place in a nanoscale gap between T cells and antigen-presenting cells, termed the immunological synapse. If these interactions are regulated appropriately, the host is defended against a wide range of pathogens and deranged host cells. If these interactions are disregulated, the host is susceptible to pathogens or tumor escape at one extreme and autoimmunity at the other. Strategies targeting the synapse have helped to establish immunotherapy as a mainstream element in cancer treatment. This Masters' primer will cover the basics of the immunological synapse and some of the applications to tumor immunology.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Model immunological synapse- A. Scanning electron micrograph of T cell interacting with an antigen presenting cells to provide scale for contact area only. B and C. Elevated and front on view of model for synapse focusing on interface. Color code- black- F-actin lamellipodium, blue- LFA-1-ICAM-1 adhesion, red- TCR-MHC antigen recognition and green- CD28-CD80 costim SMACs are labelled.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SMACs and representative receptor classes in immunological synapse. See text for description and citations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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