Immunity
Volume 16, Issue 1, January 2002, Pages 111-121
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Article
Dynamic Polarization of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton during CTL-Mediated Killing

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Abstract

Efficient unidirectional killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) requires translocation of the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) to the target cell contact site. Here we utilize modulated polarization microscopy and computerized 3D reconstruction of tubulin and LFA-1 immunofluoresence images to investigate how this is accomplished. The results show that the MTOC is drawn vectorially to the contact site by a microtubule sliding mechanism. Once the MTOC arrives at the contact site, it oscillates laterally. Microtubules loop through and anchor to a ring-shaped zone (pSMAC) defined by the dense clustering of LFA-1 at the target contact site. Microtubules that run straight between the MTOC and pSMAC and then turn sharply may indicate the action of a microtubule motor such as dynein.

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Present address: KBT-540, Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University, P.O. Box 208103, New Haven, Connecticut 06520.