Nanoconfinement of microvilli alters gene expression and boosts T cell activation.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 118(40)2021 10 05.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34599101
ABSTRACT
T cells sense and respond to their local environment at the nanoscale by forming small actin-rich protrusions, called microvilli, which play critical roles in signaling and antigen recognition, particularly at the interface with the antigen presenting cells. However, the mechanism by which microvilli contribute to cell signaling and activation is largely unknown. Here, we present a tunable engineered system that promotes microvilli formation and T cell signaling via physical stimuli. We discovered that nanoporous surfaces favored microvilli formation and markedly altered gene expression in T cells and promoted their activation. Mechanistically, confinement of microvilli inside of nanopores leads to size-dependent sorting of membrane-anchored proteins, specifically segregating CD45 phosphatases and T cell receptors (TCR) from the tip of the protrusions when microvilli are confined in 200-nm pores but not in 400-nm pores. Consequently, formation of TCR nanoclustered hotspots within 200-nm pores allows sustained and augmented signaling that prompts T cell activation even in the absence of TCR agonists. The synergistic combination of mechanical and biochemical signals on porous surfaces presents a straightforward strategy to investigate the role of microvilli in T cell signaling as well as to boost T cell activation and expansion for application in the growing field of adoptive immunotherapy.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Activación de Linfocitos
/
Linfocitos T
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Expresión Génica
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Microvellosidades
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article