Unveiling the Molecular Architecture of T Cells and Immune Synapses with Cryo-Expansion Microscopy

Cellular communication is critical for anti-cancer immunity, with tumor cell killing occurring at immunological synapses (IS) formed between effector immune cells and target tumor cells. While optical super-resolution microscopy (SRM) has enlightened the spatial organization of the IS mostly in regular immune cells, visualizing the nanoscale architectural features of IS in its native state, including 3D receptor distribution and the ultrastructural details of the lytic granule release remains challenging. Using cryo-expansion microscopy (cryo-ExM), we unravel the cellular architecture of activated T cells and T cell-target cell pairs. Our approach visualizes actin and microtubule networks during synapse formation, membrane topography, and the distribution of signaling molecules and lytic granules of different types, offering novel insights into IS organization. Finally, we apply U-ExM to glioblastoma tissue, visualizing T cells and their lytic content in situ, highlighting its potential for pre-clinical immunotherapy studies.