# T Cell Mechanosensing of Microscale Fibers

> **NIH NIH R21** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $202,500

## Abstract

Abstract
 Mechanical forces play critical roles in communication between T cells and Antigen Presenting Cells
(APCs). Previous studies from our research group demonstrated that T cells can sense and respond to the
mechanical rigidity of an activating substrate presenting ligands to TCR/CD3 and CD28, essentially an
engineered APC. This discovery led to new systems for improving production of human T cells for cellular
immunotherapy. In particular, a system based on soft elastomer fibers produced more cells per round of
expansion than a rigid counterpart, and also rescued expansion of cells from individuals being treated for
cancer. However, these previous experiments also suggested that the underlying mechanosensing response is
dependent on not only the bulk modulus of the material but also its structure at scales comparable to or even
larger than that of the attached cells. The overall purpose of this exploratory / developmental project is to
identify what features of this mesh platform, such as fiber diameter and/or span length influence T cell
mechanosensing. This will be approached in two complementary Specific Aims. In the first, a strategic set of
fiber geometries that independently vary the multiple parameters of interest will be created by further
developing electrospinning and microfabrication of elastomers. Comparison of multiple T cell responses to
these fibers will be used to separate and quantify the effects of each parameter. The second Specific Aim
focuses on the adherent T cell, characterizing the internal assemblies that lead to force generation. Together,
these studies will address the current gap in knowledge of how T cells mechanically interact with
topographically complex substrates, providing both insights into how these cells recognize and attack target
cells and strategies to improve the emerging cellular immunotherapy market.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10077261
- **Project number:** 5R21AI150244-02
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Lance C Kam
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $202,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-12-24 → 2024-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10077261

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10077261, T Cell Mechanosensing of Microscale Fibers (5R21AI150244-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10077261. Licensed CC0.

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