00:00Scientists have discovered a surprising new ability in T cells.
00:03Researchers at McGill University found that these immune cells may actually sense their surroundings.
00:09The key appears to be something unexpected.
00:12Tissue stiffness.
00:13T cells normally respond to chemical signals linked to infections and disease.
00:18But this new research suggests physical forces may also shape their behavior.
00:22Scientists tested human and mouse immune cells in engineered collagen gels.
00:26The gels were designed to mimic tissues with different levels of stiffness.
00:31Cells in stiffer environments were more likely to develop memory-like characteristics.
00:36These tissue-resident memory cells can provide longer-lasting immune protection.
00:40The discovery could eventually help research into cancer and autoimmune diseases.
00:44It may also have implications for allergies and transplant rejection.
00:48Researchers are now searching for the molecular sensor that lets T cells detect tissue stiffness.
00:55This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
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