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  4. Pattern and Precision: Dna-based Mapping of Spatial Rules for T Cell Activation
 
research article

Pattern and Precision: Dna-based Mapping of Spatial Rules for T Cell Activation

Li, Shujie  
•
Paloja, Kaltrina  
•
Bastings, Maartje M. C.  
August 28, 2025
Nanoscale Horizons

The nanoscale spatial arrangement of T cell receptor (TCR) ligands critically influences their activation potential in CD8+ T cells, yet a comprehensive understanding of the molecular landscape induced by engagement with native peptide-MHC class I (pMHC-I) remains incomplete. Using DNA origami nanomaterials, we precisely organize pMHC-I molecules into defined spatial configurations to systematically investigate the roles of valencies, inter-ligand spacings, geometric patterns, and molecular flexibility in regulating T cell function. We find that reducing the inter-ligand spacing to similar to 7.5 nm enhances T cell activation by up to eightfold compared to a wider spacing (similar to 22.5 nm), and that as few as six pMHC-I molecules are sufficient to elicit a robust response. Notably, the geometry of pMHC-I presentation emerges as a key determinant of signaling strength, with hexagonal arrangements proving most effective. In contrast, the introduction of flexible linkers into pMHC-I impairs TCR triggering. Together, these findings define spatial parameters that govern pMHC-I-TCR interactions at the T cell interface and provide design principles for engineering next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies.

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10.1039_d5nh00412h.pdf

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Published version

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openaccess

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CC BY

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3.19 MB

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c6582745c1471754ebc63dc626f1ca6c

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