Integrating Physical and Molecular Insights on Immune Cell Migration

The function of most immune cells depends on their ability to migrate through complex microenvironments, either randomly to patrol for the presence of antigens or directionally to reach their next site of action. The actin cytoskeleton and its partners are key conductors of immune cell migration as...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in immunology 2018-08, Vol.39 (8), p.632-643
Main Authors: Moreau, Hélène D., Piel, Matthieu, Voituriez, Raphaël, Lennon-Duménil, Ana-Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actin
Actomyosin
Antigens
biophysics
Cell adhesion & migration
cell migration
Conductors
Cytoskeleton
Experiments
Genotype & phenotype
Geometry
Human health and pathology
Immune system
Leukocyte migration
Life Sciences
Lymphocytes
microenvironment
Microenvironments
Molecular chains
Neutrophils
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Summary:The function of most immune cells depends on their ability to migrate through complex microenvironments, either randomly to patrol for the presence of antigens or directionally to reach their next site of action. The actin cytoskeleton and its partners are key conductors of immune cell migration as they control the intrinsic migratory properties of leukocytes as well as their capacity to respond to cues present in their environment. In this review we focus on the latest discoveries regarding the role of the actomyosin cytoskeleton in optimizing immune cell migration in complex environments, with a special focus on recent insights provided by physical modeling. Immune cells in vivo mostly use non-adherent confined migration. This type of migration relies on myosin II-dependent actin retrograde flow, which generates forward propulsion forces by friction with the environment rather than through specific receptor–ligand interactions. Alternation of fast and slow migration conducted by distinct actin subcellular pools is observed in many immune cells. Such an intermittent migration mode can optimize space exploration by immune cells. Immune cell migration is guided by a combination of chemical and physical environmental cues. The actin cytoskeleton contributes to the detection of and response to these cues, allowing immune cells to integrate them and navigate in complex environments.
ISSN:1471-4906
1471-4981
DOI:10.1016/j.it.2018.04.007