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Author Spotlight: Understanding Disease Mechanisms Through Real-Time Analysis of T-Cell Migration
Published on: May 24, 2024
The T Cell Journey: A Tour de Force
Aseel Alatoom1,2, Mei ElGindi1, Jiranuwat Sapudom1
1Laboratory for Immuno Bioengineering Research and Applications Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Campus, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Abstract:
T cells act as the puppeteers in the adaptive immune response, and their dysfunction leads to the initiation and progression of pathological conditions. During their lifetime, T cells experience myriad forces that modulate their effector functions. These forces are imposed by interacting cells, surrounding tissues, and shear forces from fluid movement. In this review, a journey with T cells is made, from their development to their unique characteristics, including the early studies that uncovered their mechanosensitivity. Then the studies pertaining to the responses of T cell activation to changes in antigen-presenting cells' physical properties, to their immediate surrounding extracellular matrix microenvironment, and flow conditions are highlighted. In addition, it is explored how pathological conditions like the tumor microenvironment can hinder T cells and allow cancer cells to escape elimination.
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