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

Y Huang, EO Comiskey, RS Dupree… - Blood, The Journal …, 2008 - ashpublications.org
Y Huang, EO Comiskey, RS Dupree, S Li, AJ Koleske, JK Burkhardt
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2008ashpublications.org
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 …
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.
ashpublications.org