Decoding mechanoregulation in immunological synapses using biomimetic artificial cells.

kpiCells, a biomimetic platform, can measure piconewton-scale forces and replicate cellular states, advancing the study of immune cell mechanoregulation with high functional complexity.

• Why it matters: Understanding mechanical forces in cell-cell interactions is crucial for immune function, but current methods lack precise control or fail to mimic cellular complexity, limiting insights into immune signaling.
• What they did: The authors developed kpiCells, a modular biomaterial system with biomimetic membranes and architecture, capable of engaging in physiological CCIs and reproducing subcellular features, including force measurements at individual T cell receptors.
• The result: This platform enables detailed interrogation of mechanosensing and force-exertion pathways, paving the way for synthetic models that approach the functional intricacy of living cells and enhance immune system research.