HIV-1 Nef Employs Two Distinct Mechanisms to Modulate Lck Subcellular Localization and TCR Induced Actin Remodeling

The Nef protein acts as critical factor during HIV pathogenesis by increasing HIV replication in vivo via the modulation of host cell vesicle transport and signal transduction processes. Recent studies suggested that Nef alters formation and function of immunological synapses (IS), thereby modulating exogenous T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation to balance between partial T cell activation required for HIV-1 spread and prevention of activation induced cell death. Alterations of IS function by Nef include interference with cell spreading and actin polymerization upon TCR engagement, a pronounced intracellular accumulation of the Src kinase Lck and its reduced IS recruitment. Here we use a combination of Nef mutagenesis and pharmacological inhibition to analyze the relative contribution of these effects to Nef mediated alterations of IS organization and function on TCR stimulatory surfaces. Inhibition of actin polymerization and IS recruitment of Lck were governed by identical Nef determinants and correlated well with Nef's association with Pak2 kinase activity. In contrast, Nef mediated Lck endosomal accumulation was separable from these effects, occurred independently of Pak2, required integrity of the microtubule rather than the actin filament system and thus represents a distinct Nef activity. Finally, reduction of TCR signal transmission by Nef was linked to altered actin remodeling and Lck IS recruitment but did not require endosomal Lck rerouting. Thus, Nef affects IS function via multiple independent mechanisms to optimize virus replication in the infected host

Tentative and transient natural killer cell polarization balances the requirements for discriminatory recognition and cytolytic efficacy

Natural killer (NK) cells are immune cells that lyse virally infected and tumor cells. Initially, their cytolytic capability is induced by cytokines. Subsequently, in their decision whether to kill a potential target cell, NK cells have to distinguish between small differences in the expression of ligands that report on the viral infection or transformation of the target. NK killing requires tight coupling to the target cell and extensive NK cell polarization. Here we discuss, often in contrast to the second cytolytic immune cell type, cytotoxic T cells, how NK cell polarization is shaped by three constraints of their activation. First, NK cell have to respond to cytokines: Different priming cytokines yield dramatically divergent NK cell polarization. Second, NK cells have to distinguish small differences in ligand expression: NK cell polarization is tentative, likely to allow discriminatory recognition close to the NK cell activation threshold. A critical contributor to the tentative nature of NK cell polarization may be poorly developed spatiotemporal organization of NK cell signaling. Third, NK cells have to kill effectively: NK cell polarization is transient, allowing for efficient killing by sequential interactions of a single NK cell with numerous target cells

A Cdc42 Activation Cycle Coordinated by PI 3-Kinase during Fc Receptor-mediated Phagocytosis

During Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis in macrophages, PI 3-kinase mediates transitions in the signaling by Rho-family GTPases. Receptor-activated Cdc42 increases PI 3-kinase activity. Increased 3′ phosphoinositide concentrations in phagocytic cups then deactivate Cdc42

Dynamic Movement of the Calcium Sensor STIM1 and the Calcium Channel Orai1 in Activated T-Cells: Puncta and Distal Caps

The proteins STIM1 and Orai1 are the long sought components of the store-operated channels required in T-cell activation. However, little is known about the interaction of these proteins in T-cells after engagement of the T-cell receptor. We found that T-cell receptor engagement caused STIM1 and Orai1 to colocalize in puncta near the site of stimulation and accumulate in a dense structure on the opposite side of the T-cell. FRET measurements showed a close interaction between STIM1 and Orai1 both in the puncta and in the dense cap-like structure. The formation of cap-like structures did not entail rearrangement of the entire endoplasmic reticulum. Cap formation depended on TCR engagement and tyrosine phosphorylation, but not on channel activity or Ca2+ influx. These caps were very dynamic in T-cells activated by contact with superantigen pulsed B-cells and could move from the distal pole to an existing or a newly forming immunological synapse. One function of this cap may be to provide preassembled Ca2+ channel components to existing and newly forming immunological synapses