Cytoskeletal rearrangement during migration and activation of T lymphocytes

T lymphocytes have an inherent ability to migrate along a chemotactic gradi ent, which enables them to exit the bloodstream and reach different tissues . Motile T cells display a polarized morphology with two distinct cell comp artments: the leaning edge and the uropod. During cell polarization, chemoa ttractant receptors, cell-adhesion molecules ann cytoskeletal proteins are redistributed within these cellular compartments. The polarity of T lymphoc ytes changes during the establishment of antigen-specific cell-cell interac tions, and this involves rearrangement of cytoskeletal proteins. This artic le discusses the regulation of these cytoskeletal rearrangements, and their role in the activation, migration and effector function of T cells.