About the research

Recruitment and transendothelial migration of T cells is a crucial aspect of immune system functioning and can result in the onset or propagation of disease if aberrant. Most research studying transendothelial migration of T cells is performed in mouse models or in vitro using migration assays across monolayers of cells that do not recapitulate the complex human in vivo situation. For this reason, we developed an endothelial vessel perfused with T cells in a membrane-free and tubular manner against a collagen hydrogel. Tumor cells or chemokines can be added as a chemotactic trigger. Such 3D co-culture models allow studying recruitment and infiltration of T cells in healthy or diseased environments and could support the development of novel (immuno)therapeutics.

The use of a patients’ own immune system proved to be a promising avenue for combatting cancer although therapeutic efficacy varies significantly depending on the tumor type and between patients. Novel models that manage to better recapitulate the behavior of T cells in vivo could potentially spur the development and improvement of these immune therapies. This knowledge led us to the development of a 3D tissue culture model where we could better understand this behavior. The model compromises an endothelial vessel perfused with T cells that can be used to study the migration of the T cells towards a tumor compartment in a high-throughput manner.