Polo-like kinase 1 regulates immune synapse assembly and cytotoxic T cell function by driving microtubule dynamics

Elimination of virally infected or tumoral cells is mediated by cytotoxic T cells (CTL). Upon antigen recognition CTLs assemble a specialized signaling and secretory domain at the interface with their target, the immune synapse (IS). During IS formation CTLs acquire a transient polarity, marked by re-orientation of the centrosome and microtubule cytoskeleton toward the IS, thus directing the transport and delivery of the lytic granules to the target cell. Based on the implication of the kinase Aurora-A in CTL function we hypothesized that its substrate, the mitotic regulator Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), may participate in CTL IS assembly. We demonstrate that PLK1 is phosphorylated upon TCR triggering and polarizes to the IS. PLK1 silencing or inhibition results in impaired IS assembly and function, as witnessed by defective synaptic accumulation of TCRs as well as compromised centrosome and lytic granule polarization to the IS, resulting in impaired target cell killing. This function is achieved by coupling early signaling to microtubule dynamics, a function pivotal for CTL-mediated cytotoxicity. These results identify PLK1 as a new player in CTL IS assembly and function. Summary statement The mitotic kinase Polo-like kinase 1 promotes centrosome polarization to the immune synapse in cytotoxic T cells by coupling TCR signaling to microtubule dynamics