Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

14.5K
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
14.5K
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

2.0K
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
2.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Bioelectricity Buzz.

Bioelectricity·2026
Same author

Candida albicans infection suppresses lipopolysaccharide or Pseudomonas aeruginosa stimulated murine bone marrow derived macrophage (BMDM) responses.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

p62 limits Salmonella Typhimurium in macrophages through its role in cell signalling.

Access microbiology·2026
Same author

Characterising interleukin-27 (IL-27) responses in human blood derived macrophage cells.

Cytokine·2025
Same author

PTP1B deficiency in myeloid cells increases susceptibility to <i>Candida albicans</i> systemic infection by modulating antifungal immunity.

mBio·2025
Same author

Alternatively spliced isoforms of IRF7 differentially regulate interferon expression to tune response to viral infection.

Cell reports·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Electric-Field-Induced Neural Precursor Cell Differentiation in Microfluidic Devices
07:15

Electric-Field-Induced Neural Precursor Cell Differentiation in Microfluidic Devices

Published on: April 14, 2021

4.1K

Physiological strength electric fields modulate human T cell activation and polarisation.

Christina E Arnold1, Ann M Rajnicek1, Joseph I Hoare1

  • 1School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.

Scientific Reports
|November 28, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Physiological electric fields (EFs) physically drive T cell responses. These fields, found at epithelial disruptions, inhibit T cell activation and polarization, revealing electrical signals as key regulators of immune function.

More Related Videos

Electric and Magnetic Field Devices for Stimulation of Biological Tissues
13:29

Electric and Magnetic Field Devices for Stimulation of Biological Tissues

Published on: May 15, 2021

5.6K
Revealing Electromechanical Control of Tissue Homeostasis Using a Two-Layer Microfluidic Device
11:08

Revealing Electromechanical Control of Tissue Homeostasis Using a Two-Layer Microfluidic Device

Published on: September 19, 2025

972

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Electric-Field-Induced Neural Precursor Cell Differentiation in Microfluidic Devices
07:15

Electric-Field-Induced Neural Precursor Cell Differentiation in Microfluidic Devices

Published on: April 14, 2021

4.1K
Electric and Magnetic Field Devices for Stimulation of Biological Tissues
13:29

Electric and Magnetic Field Devices for Stimulation of Biological Tissues

Published on: May 15, 2021

5.6K
Revealing Electromechanical Control of Tissue Homeostasis Using a Two-Layer Microfluidic Device
11:08

Revealing Electromechanical Control of Tissue Homeostasis Using a Two-Layer Microfluidic Device

Published on: September 19, 2025

972

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • T cell activation and polarization are crucial for immune responses.
  • Previous research focused on cellular and chemical mediators.
  • Electric fields (EFs) are present at sites of epithelial disruption where T cells are found.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of physiological-strength electric fields (EFs) as physical drivers of T cell activation and polarization.
  • To explore the impact of EFs on human primary T cell behavior and function.

Main Methods:

  • Live-cell imaging was used to observe human primary T cell migration in response to low-strength EFs (50/150 mV/mm).
  • T cell activation was assessed by measuring IL-2 secretion and proliferation after stimulation with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies.
  • Changes in T cell polarization and the expression of key lineage markers (RORγt, IL-17, phospho-STAT3, STAT1, ERK, c-Jun) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Human primary T cells exhibited directional migration towards the cathode in low-strength EFs.
  • EFs significantly downregulated T cell activation, evidenced by decreased IL-2 secretion and proliferation.
  • EFs dampened CD4+ T cell polarization and reduced the expression of Th17 lineage markers (RORγt, IL-17) and phospho-STAT3, suggesting STAT3 modulation as a key mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • Electrical signals, specifically EFs, are identified as significant physical drivers regulating human T cell functions.
  • EFs can inhibit T cell activation and polarization, impacting immune responses.
  • This research opens a new avenue for studying the effects of natural and clinical EFs in managing T cell activity.