E-cadherin in developing murine T cells controls spindle alignment and progression through β-selection

Sci Adv. 2023 Jan 18;9(3):eade5348. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ade5348. Epub 2023 Jan 18.

Abstract

A critical stage of T cell development is β-selection; at this stage, the T cell receptor β (TCRβ) chain is generated, and the developing T cell starts to acquire antigenic specificity. Progression through β-selection is assisted by low-affinity interactions between the nascent TCRβ chain and peptide presented on stromal major histocompatibility complex and cues provided by the niche. In this study, we identify a cue within the developing T cell niche that is critical for T cell development. E-cadherin mediates cell-cell interactions and influences cell fate in many developmental systems. In developing T cells, E-cadherin contributed to the formation of an immunological synapse and the alignment of the mitotic spindle with the polarity axis during division, which facilitated subsequent T cell development. Collectively, these data suggest that E-cadherin facilitates interactions with the thymic niche to coordinate the β-selection stage of T cell development.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins* / metabolism
  • Cell Communication
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes* / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes* / metabolism
  • Thymus Gland

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Cdh1 protein, mouse