Cytotoxic immunological synapses do not restrict the action of interferon-γ to antigenic target cells

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1116058109
• Publication Date: 2012-05-01T04:46:44Z
• Authors: Nicholas Stephen ...; Mariana Puntel; Kurt M. Kroeger; Niyati S. Bondale; Mark Swerdlow; Niloufar Iranmanesh; Hideo Yagita; Ahmed Ibrahim; Maria G. Castro; Pedro R. Lowenstein
• Keywords: Immunological synapse

Following antigen recognition on target cells, effector T cells establish immunological synapses and secrete cytokines. It is thought that cytokines in one of two modes: either synaptically (i.e., toward antigenic cells) or multidirectionally, affecting a wider population cells. This paradigm predicts secreted such as IFN-γ will preferentially signal to contacted by the cell through an synapse. Despite its physiological significance, this prediction has never been tested. We developed live-cell imaging system compare responses nonantigenic bystanders CD8+, antigen-specific, cytotoxic Both surrounding nontarget respond robustly. pattern response was detected even at minimal T-cell stimulation using low doses peptide, altered peptide ligands. Although restrict killing effects are more widespread.