Controlling T cells shape, mechanics and activation by micropatterning

Abstract

AbstractWe designed a strategy, based on a careful examination of the activation capabilities of proteins and antibodies used as substrates for adhering T cells, coupled to protein microstamping. This allowed us to control at the same time the position, shape, mechanics and activation state of T cells. Once adhered on shaped patterns we examined the capacities of T cells to be activated with soluble aCD3, in comparison to T cells adhered to a continuously decorated substrate with the same density of ligands. We show that, in our hand, adhering onto an anti CD45 (aCD45) antibody decorated surface is not affecting T cell calcium fluxes, even adhered on variable size micro-patterns. We further demonstrate this by expressing MEGF10 as a non immune adhesion receptor in T cells to obtain the very same spreading area on PLL substrates and Young modulus than immobilized cells on aCD45, while retaining similar activation capabilities using soluble aCD3 or through model APC contacts. We propose that our system is a way to test activation or anergy of T cells with defined adhesion and mechanical characteristics, and may allow to dissect fine details of these mechanisms since it allows to observe homogenised populations in standardized T cell activation assays.