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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
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Visualizing Surface T-Cell Receptor Dynamics Four-Dimensionally Using Lattice Light-Sheet Microscopy
Published on: January 30, 2020
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4D electron microscopy of T cell activation.
Yue Lu1,2, Byung-Kuk Yoo3, Alphonsus H C Ng1,2
1The Arthur Amos Noyes Laboratory of Chemical Physics, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125.
Summary
Photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM) reveals nanoscale T cell surface changes. PINEM is a label-free probe sensitive to T cell receptor engagement and cytoskeletal reorganization during activation.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biophysics
- Immunology
- Microscopy
Background:
- T cell activation involves cytoskeletal changes and cytokine secretion.
- Understanding T cell surface dynamics is crucial for immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate T cell activation using Photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM).
- To correlate PINEM signal changes with T cell biophysical properties and stimulation conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM) to image T cells.
- Quantified evanescent electric fields at the T cell surface.
- Analyzed PINEM signal changes in response to antigen-specific and non-specific stimulation.
Main Results:
- PINEM signal strength correlated with T cell activation hallmarks.
- PINEM signal showed a strong correlation with T cell receptor engagement.
- Stimulation-induced nanoscale surface structure reorganization was the primary driver of PINEM signal changes.
Conclusions:
- PINEM serves as a sensitive, label-free method for probing nanoscale cellular surface structures.
- PINEM can detect early T cell activation events related to T cell receptor engagement.
- PINEM offers insights into the biophysical basis of T cell activation.
