Basement membrane hydrogels dampen CAR-T cell activation: nanofibrillar cellulose gels as alternative to preserve T cell function in 3D cell cultures

It is reported that the intrinsic cytotoxic and proliferative potential of (CAR-)T cells can be underestimated when performing assays in 3D cultures based on Matrigel or BME, and nanofibrillar cellulose hydrogels are suitable 3D matrices for preserving T cell phenotype and activation.