Interplay between TCR signalling and actin cytoskeleton dynamics

Once a T cell detects signs of foreign antigens on an antigen-presenting cell, it establishes a tight contact that results in the formation of an immunological synapse and T-cell activation. Although it has long been appreciated that remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton is an integral part of T-cell receptor (TCR) signalling and T-cell activation, the mechanisms underlying its regulation are not entirely understood. However, recent observations have provided more insights into how TCR signalling converges on key cytoskeletal components and how these control crucial activities, such as actin filament nucleation and elongation, integrin activation, and raft and TCR clustering. Here, we analyse the implications of these findings for the understanding of actin cytoskeleton remodelling and the multifaceted aspects of T-cell biology.