A centrally positioned cluster of multiple centrioles in antigen-presenting cells fosters T cell activation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Cellular polarization plays a crucial role in regulating immunological processes and is often associated with reorientation of the centrosome. During immune synapse formation, centrosome repositioning in lymphocytes assists in T cell activation. While a single centrosome, consisting of two centrioles, is present in T cells, antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells amplify centrioles during maturation and immune activation. How centriole amplification in antigen-presenting cells affects immune synapse formation and T cell activation is unclear. In this study, we combine experimental data with mathematical and computational modelling to provide evidence that extra centrioles in dendritic cells form over-active microtubule organizing centers, which cluster during dendritic cell-T cell interactions and, unlike in T cells, localize close to the cell center. Perturbing either centrosome integrity or centriole numbers and configuration in dendritic cells results in impaired T cell activation. Collectively, our results highlight a crucial role for centriole amplification and optimal centrosome positioning in antigen-presenting cells for controlling T cell responses.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Isabel Stötzel, Ann-Kathrin Weier, Apurba Sarkar, Subhendu Som, Luisa Bach, Peter Konopka, Eliška Miková, Shaunak Ghosh, Jan Böthling, Mirka Homrich, Laura Schaedel, Uli Kazmaier, Konstantinos Symeonidis, Stefan Ebner, Philip Weidner, Zeinab Abdullah, Felix Meissner, Stefan Uderhardt, Miroslav Hons, Dirk Baumjohann, Raja Paul, Heiko Rieger, Eva Kiermaier
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Award: G3620252990
OpenAlex ID: W7123486154