With these simulations, the scientists predicted that the' movement not only depends on their individual responses to the chemokine but also on the density of the cell population."This was a simple but nontrivial prediction; the more cells there are the sharper the gradient they generate—it really highlights the collective nature of this phenomenon," says Can Ucar.
Additionally, the researchers found that T cells—specific immune cells that destroy harmful germs—also benefit from this dynamic interplay to enhance their own directional movement."We are eager to find out more about this novel interaction principle between cell populations with ongoing projects," the physicist continues.The discoveries are a step in a new direction for how cells move inside our bodies.
This research has significant implications for our understanding of how immune responses are coordinated within the body. By uncovering these mechanisms, scientists could potentially design new strategies to enhance immune cell recruitment to specific sites, such as tumor cells or areas of infection.