Microtubule associated signal transduction processes in t-cell migration

Abstract

The ordered, directional migration of T-lymphocytes is a key process during immune surveillance, and immune response. T-cell migration is a complex, highly coordinated process. This requires cell adhesion to the high endothelial venules or to the extracellular matrix by a series of surface receptor/ligand interactions involving adhesion molecules of the integrin family including lymphocyte function associated molecule-1 (LFA-1), phosphorylation- dependent signalling cascades and cytoskeletal rearrangements. Mechanisms that regulate T-cell migration are of considerable relevance for understanding the pathogenesis of various diseases including chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and the inflammatory arthropathies.