Immunological synapse arrays : patterned protein surfaces that modulate immunological synapse structure formation in T cells

T cells are activated by recognition of foreign peptides displayed on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs), an event that triggers assembly of a complex microscale structure at the T cell-APC interface known as the immunological synapse (IS). It remains unresolved whether the unique physical structure of the synapse itself impacts the functional response of T cells, independent of the quantity and quality of ligands encountered by the T cell. As a first step toward addressing this question, we fabricated multicomponent protein surfaces that surrogate the role of APCs and studied T cell responses as a function of synapse structure. To pattern multiple proteins on surfaces, we synthesized and characterized a new polymer, poly(o-ntrobenzyl methacrylate-r-methyl methacrylate-poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PNMP), a photoresist that can be processed under mild aqueous conditions. Based on the pH- and temperature-sensitive solubility of UV-exposed PNMP random terpolymers in aqueous buffers, two-component protein patterning was achieved under conditions that avoid exposing proteins to conditions outside the narrow range of physiological pH, ionic strength, and temperature where their stability is greatest.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Doh, Junsang

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Darrell J. Irvine.

• Chemical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/35133
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/35133

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/35133