A novel mechanism for the regulation of T cell shape and function.

T细胞是免疫系统的关键组成部分，对其调节的了解已经导致了重要的治疗干预。现在很明显，T细胞的形状影响其被激活、在体内迁移和杀死靶细胞的能力。我们已经确定了一种控制T细胞形状的新方法，涉及一组协调整个细胞的分子交通的蛋白质。这个项目的应用是为了阐明蛋白质组调节T细胞形状和功能的机制。我们将测试这些蛋白质是否共同作用，整合整个T细胞的信号，并测试这些蛋白质是否会影响试管中和小鼠体内的T细胞功能。

T cells are a key component of the immune system, and an understanding of their regulation has already lead to important therapeutic interventions. It is now apparent that the shape of the T cell impacts upon its ability to be activated, to migrate through the body, and to kill target cells. We have identified a novel means by which T cell shape is controlled, involving a group of proteins which orchestrate molecular traffic throughout the cell. This project application is to elucidate the mechanisms by which the group of proteins regulates T cell shape and function. We will test whether the proteins act together to integrate signals throughout the entire T cell, and will test whether the proteins influence T cell function in the test tube and in the mouse.