Compartmentalisation of surface receptor signalling in T cells

The main goal of this thesis is to introduce the topic of compartmentalisation of signalling on the surface of T lymphocytes before and during the T-lymphocyte activation by the contact with an antigen-presenting cell (APC) or a target cell. To understand the compartmentalisation of signalling, the morphology of cell surface needs to be understood first. It is believed that the surface of T cell is magnified with an abundance of membrane protrusions called microvilli. Although, little is known about their inner structure. They may have some structural features different from microvilli on the surface of APC or microvilli of intestinal brush border. These structures are further described and compared with each other along-side with some other non-microvillar membrane protrusions and extensions. The insight into three-dimensional compartmentalisation of signalling molecules in T cells is still in its early days. Some results even contradict each other. This field will require the application of advanced imaging methods in a rather comprehensive way to uncover fine organisation of these molecules before and after encountering stimulatory surface. Key words T-cell signalling, membrane receptors, cell surface morphology, microvilli, microscop