Mechanisms of pattern formation during T cell adhesion

Details Mechanisms of pattern formation during T cell adhesion Mechanisms of pattern formation during T cell adhesion

2004-01-28

arxiv.org/abs/q-bio/0401042v1

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Subcellular Processes

12 pages, 8 figures

Scientific paper

10.1529/biophysj.104.045609

T cells form intriguing patterns during adhesion to antigen-presenting cells. The patterns at the cell-cell contact zone are composed of two types of domains, which either contain short TCR/MHCp receptor-ligand complexes or the longer LFA-1/ICAM-1 complexes. The final pattern consists of a central TCR/MHCp domain surrounded by a ring-shaped LFA-1/ICAM-1 domain, while the characteristic pattern formed at intermediate times is inverted with TCR/MHCp complexes at the periphery of the contact zone and LFA-1/ICAM-1 complexes in the center. In this article, we present a statistical-mechanical model of cell adhesion and propose a novel mechanism for the T cell pattern formation. Our mechanism for the formation of the intermediate inverted pattern is based (i) on the initial nucleation of numerous TCR/MHCp microdomains, and (ii) on the diffusion of free receptors and ligands into the contact zone. Due to this inward diffusion, TCR/MHCp microdomains at the rim of the contact zone grow faster and form an intermediate peripheral ring for sufficiently large TCR/MHCp concentrations. In agreement with experiments, we find that the formation of the final pattern with a central TCR/MHCp domain requires active cytoskeletal transport processes. Without active transport, the intermediate inverted pattern seems to be metastable in our model, which might explain patterns observed during natural killer (NK) cell adhesion. At smaller TCR/MHCp complex concentrations, we observe a different regime of pattern formation with intermediate multifocal TCR/MHCp patterns which resemble experimental patterns found during thymozyte adhesion.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Mechanisms of pattern formation during T cell adhesion does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Mechanisms of pattern formation during T cell adhesion, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mechanisms of pattern formation during T cell adhesion will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-588260