K. Salaita

Mechanical force regulates ligand binding and function of PD-1

This study shows mechanical force is critical for PD-1 function, as soluble PD-L1 lacks the mechanical support needed to trigger PD-1 signaling.

Measuring integrin force loading rates using a two-step DNA tension sensor

This paper develops a DNA tension sensor to measure integrin force loading rates in live cells, revealing exponential decay in bond lifetime and localized high-force events at cell-substrate junctions.

The T-cell niche tunes immune function through modulation of the cytoskeleton and TCR-antigen forces

This study shows that the adipocyte niche impairs T-cell function by modulating cytoskeletal dynamics and reducing TCR-antigen forces in both mice and human T-cells.

Force-induced site-specific enzymatic cleavage probes reveal that serial mechanical engagement boosts T cell activation

This paper introduces FUSE probes to study how force duration affects T cell activation, finding that repeated mechanical engagement boosts activation, especially at lower antigen densities.

DNA Origami Tension Sensors (DOTS) to study T cell receptor mechanics at membrane junctions

This study develops DNA origami tension sensors (DOTS) to measure TCR mechanotransduction at immune cell junctions, revealing forces between 5-10 pN and dependencies on cell state and antigen properties.

Rolosense: Mechanical detection of SARS-CoV-2 using a DNA-based motor

Rolosense detects SARS-CoV-2 using a DNA-based motor that stalls in the presence of viral particles, offering a rapid, low-cost, point-of-care diagnostic method.

Accumulation of TCR signaling from self-antigens in naive CD8 T cells mitigates early responsiveness

The study shows that prolonged TCR signaling from self-antigens in naive CD8 T cells reduces their responsiveness to foreign antigens through gene expression changes and negative regulators like Sts1 and Cbl-b.

Molecular Mechanocytometry Using Tension-activated Cell Tagging (TaCT)

The paper introduces TaCT, a method to fluorescently label cells based on molecular force through adhesion receptors, and demonstrates its use in fibroblasts and mouse platelets.

Mechano-Cas12a Assisted Tension Sensor (MCATS) for Massively Amplified Cell Traction Force Measurements

MCATS detects cell-generated forces using CRISPR-Cas12a, showing drug effects on platelet forces and identifying platelet dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Unbreakable DNA tension probes show that cell adhesion receptors detect the molecular force-extension curve of their ligands

The paper demonstrates that integrin receptors detect the molecular force-extension curve of their ligands, not just the magnitude of force.

Mechanically active integrins direct cytotoxic secretion at the immune synapse

This study identifies integrin mechanotransduction as essential for directing cytotoxic secretion at the immune synapse, showing that mechanical forces from LFA-1 guide lytic granule fusion and cytotoxicity.

Optical Control of Cytokine Signaling via Bioinspired, Polymer-Induced Latency

This paper develops a method to control cytokine signaling using light-activated polymers that induce latency and release cytokines on demand.