Fig. 4: Stochastic membrane displacement.
From: The interplay between membrane topology and mechanical forces in regulating T cell receptor activity
a The plasma membrane of T cells (and all cells in the body) continuously fluctuates to dissipate thermal energy at physiological temperatures. TCR receptors, therefore, are normally moving up and down on the T cell surface (colored and gray positions A and B). Engagement of TCRs by pMHC on an APC fixes the relative positions of the TCR and pMHC, which opposes the normal membrane fluctuations and provides another source of mechanical force on engaged TCRs. b illustrated displacement of position 0 on the nm scale over a unit of time.
