Supported planar bilayers are powerful tools that can be used to model the molecular interactions in an immunological synapse. Here, we show methods for anchoring cell adhesion proteins known to modulate synapse formation to the upper leaflet of the lipid bilyer and visualize synapse formation using TIRF microscopy.
1. Preparing the lipids
2. Determining how much ICAM-1 and MHC are deposited on the planar bilayer
3. Cleaning the glass cover slips for forming planar bilayers
4. Forming the bilayers
This video article supports “Hunter to Gatherer and Back: Immunological Synapses and Kinapses as Variations on the Theme of Amoeboid Locomotion” by Michael L. Dustin, Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 24, 2008.