T cells are activated in response to the recognition of antigenic peptides on major histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHC) by the T cell receptors (TCR) and induction of downstream signaling. The strength of interaction between specific TCR with pMHC is a key defining factor for optimal T cell activation. But a number of studies have also suggested a crucial involvement of mechanical cues within the immunological synapse. However, a dedicated mechanosensor molecule that senses and transduces the mechanical cues to optimize TCR activation was, until very recently, not known. The putative candidates included the TCR itself as well as the integrins within the immunological synapse. Recently, the Piezo family of proteins was discovered as professional mechanosensors implicated in a number of physiological processes. One of the two Piezo family members, Piezo1, is expressed in human T cells. Recent data suggest that Piezo1 functions as a professional mechanotransducer at the immunological synapse during TCR-pMHC interaction, and thus play a crucial role in human T cell activation. Thus, the domain of T cell activation has gathered a new mechanoregulatory dimension, which should incite further studies for detailed elucidation of the mechanistic underpinnings and its translational implications.

中文翻译：

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T细胞活化的机械提示：Piezo1机械传感器的作用。

T细胞响应主要组织相容性复合物分子（pMHC）上的抗原肽被T细胞受体（TCR）识别并激活下游信号而被激活。特定TCR与pMHC之间相互作用的强度是确定最佳T细胞活化的关键因素。但是，许多研究也表明，机械提示在免疫突触中至关重要。然而，直到最近，尚不知道专门的机械传感器分子来感应和转导机械线索以优化TCR激活。假定的候选物包括TCR本身以及免疫突触中的整联蛋白。最近，人们发现蛋白质压电家族是涉及许多生理过程的专业机械传感器。Piezo1是两个Piezo家族成员之一，在人类T细胞中表达。最新数据表明，Piezo1在TCR-pMHC相互作用过程中在免疫突触中起着专业的机械转导子的作用，因此在人类T细胞活化中起着至关重要的作用。因此，T细胞活化域已聚集了一个新的机械调节维度，这应激发进一步研究以详细阐明机械基础及其翻译意义。