Cytotoxic T cells fight pathogens and cancer by forming stereotyped cytotoxic immune synapses with infected or transformed target cells. We found that architectural changes in apoptotic target cells trigger the dissolution of immune synapses, providing a mechanistic basis for efficient synaptic turnover and serial killing.
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References
Dustin, M. L. & Long, E. O. Cytotoxic immunological synapses. Immunol. Rev. 235, 24–34 (2010). A review article that describes cytotoxic immune synapses and potential strategies for modulating their activity therapeutically.
Jenkins, M. R. et al. Failed CTL/NK cell killing and cytokine hypersecretion are directly linked through prolonged synapse time. J. Exp. Med. 212, 307–317 (2015). This paper reports that target cell death promotes CTL dissociation.
Wickman, G., Julian, L. & Olson, M. F. How apoptotic cells aid in the removal of their own cold dead bodies. Cell Death Differ. 19, 735–742 (2012). A review article that describes apoptotic contraction and suggests that impaired corpse clearance may contribute to inflammation and autoimmunity.
Huse, M. Mechanical forces in the immune system. Nat. Rev. Immunol. 17, 679–690 (2017). A review article covering the origins and functions of mechanical force in immune cells.
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This is a summary of: Sanchez, E. E. et al. Apoptotic contraction drives target cell release by cytotoxic T cells. Nat. Immunol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01572-4 (2023).
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How cytotoxic T cells release their dying targets. Nat Immunol 24, 1413–1414 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01576-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-023-01576-0
