Sommaire:

Immune cells, particularly lymphocytes, must move, interface with other cell types, extract information from these interactions, and, if necessary, respond rapidly through endocytosis, status changes, proliferation, or cell killing. These critical biological processes rely on cytoskeletal rearrangement, mechanical sensing, and force production. In our research, we use microfluidics and micro-fabricated tools to investigate the forces at cell-cell interfaces and the cellular rearrangements triggered by antigen recognition. Recently, we introduced functionalized oil droplets as a novel antigen-presenting tool in the context of B cells, uncovering an unexpected role of microtubules in limiting F-actin polymerization, which facilitates the formation and maintenance of a distinct immune synapse. Additionally, I will present new applications of these methods, focusing on lymphocyte interactions with the microenvironment of lymph nodes and examining how mechanical factors influence their immune functions.

Pour plus d'informations, merci de contacter Parmeggiani A.