The T Cell Plasma Membrane Lipid Bilayer Stages TCR-proximal Signaling Events

The T cell plasma membrane lipid bilayer attracts the attention of immunologists as fundamental two-dimensional platform for molecular networks which mediate T cell antigen receptor (TCR) activation responses. Plasma membrane lipids critically influence formation and activity of signaling networks linked to the T cell plasma membrane. This opinion article outlines recent advances in understanding functional implications of their organization into highly dynamic raft lipid nanoassemblies which can be triggered to coalesce into ordered raft membrane phases and then serve as functional platforms for multimolecular TCR signaling machineries. Raft lipid dynamics are also incorporated into models of initiating TCR signal transduction. Hence, including the biochemical and biophysical complexity of the plasma membrane lipid bilayer is critical for systematic characterization of TCR-proximal signaling functions.