Immature T-cell clustering and efficient differentiation require the polarity protein Scribble

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Jan 18;108(3):1116-21. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1018224108. Epub 2010 Dec 28.

Abstract

T-cell polarization is required for cell migration and cell-cell interactions, cellular behaviors crucial for lymphocyte differentiation. Despite expression of the epithelial polarity network in T cells, neither its contribution to thymocyte polarity nor its requirement during development is known. We report here that depletion of the polarity protein Scribble in hematopoietic progenitor cells results in inefficient T-cell development characterized by a partial developmental block during the early double-negative (DN) stage of differentiation. Scribble-depleted hematopoietic progenitor cells exhibit a delayed transition into late CD44(lo/-)CD25(+) DN3 cells, evidenced by the accumulation of early CD44(int)CD25(+) DN3 cells. As a consequence, a limited cellular expansion and a reduced frequency of intracellular T-cell receptor β-positive DN3 cells are observed among Scribble-deficient differentiating T cells. Moreover, whereas purified Scribble-depleted DN2 and DN3 cells do not exhibit compromised spontaneous motility, T-cell clustering and prolonged homotypic interactions among such cells are reduced. This deficiency correlates with a lack of polarization of the integrin LFA-1 during T-cell migration or on the initiation of T-cell-T-cell interactions. Scribble is therefore a critical contributor to the clustering of immature T cells, an event shown here to be necessary for efficient developmental progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Aggregation / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cell Polarity / immunology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / immunology*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • scribble protein, mouse