Probing mechanical interaction of immune receptors and cytoskeleton by membrane nanotube extraction
Résumé
Significance Statement T cells are the first responders of the adaptive immune system via the recognition of a non-self peptide via the T cell receptor (TCR). Generating force by actomyosin machinery, T cells test the TCR to antigen binding. This force needs to be transmitted via a chain of molecules where the receptor-to-cytoskeleton interaction is currently the missing link. We devised a method based on pulling membrane tubes via optical tweezers and a physical model to extract viscoelastic parameters, separable into cell or molecular scales, to probe the mechanics of the receptor to cytoskeleton link. Our analysis suggests that the link stiffness depends on the identity of the receptor being sollicitated. These findings have implications for understanding of T cell mechanotransduction.
Domaines
Biophysique [physics.bio-ph]
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)