The c-Abl tyrosine kinase regulates actin remodeling at the immune synapse

Blood. 2008 Jul 1;112(1):111-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2007-10-118232. Epub 2008 Feb 27.

Abstract

Actin dynamics during T-cell activation are controlled by the coordinate action of multiple actin regulatory proteins, functioning downstream of a complex network of kinases and other signaling molecules. The c-Abl nonreceptor tyrosine kinase regulates actin responses in nonhematopoietic cells, but its function in T cells is poorly understood. Using kinase inhibitors, RNAi, and conditional knockout mice, we investigated the role of c-Abl in controlling the T-cell actin response. We find that c-Abl is required for normal actin polymerization and lamellipodial spreading at the immune synapse, and for downstream events leading to efficient interleukin-2 production. c-Abl also plays a key role in signaling chemokine-induced T-cell migration. c-Abl is required for the appropriate function of 2 proteins known to be important for controlling actin responses to T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement, the actin-stabilizing adapter protein HS1, and the Rac1-dependent actin polymerizing protein WAVE2. c-Abl binds to phospho-HS1 via its SH2 domains and is required for full tyrosine phosphorylation of HS1 during T-cell activation. In addition, c-Abl is required for normal localization of WAVE2 to the immune synapse (IS). These studies identify c-Abl as a key player in the signaling cascade, leading to actin reorganization during T-cell activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-2 / genetics
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl / deficiency
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl / metabolism*
  • Pseudopodia / immunology
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism
  • Pseudopodia / ultrastructure
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • HAX1 protein, human
  • IL2 protein, human
  • Interleukin-2
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • WASF2 protein, human
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl