Mechanosensing in the immune response

Abstract

Cells have a remarkable ability to sense and respond to the mechanical properties of their environment. Mechanosensing is essential for many phenomena from cell movements and tissue rearrangements to cell differentiation and the immune response. Cells of the immune system get activated when membrane receptors bind to cognate antigen on the surface of antigen presenting cells. Both T and B lymphocyte signaling has been shown to be responsive to physical forces and mechanical cues. Cytoskeletal forces exerted by cells likely mediate this mechanical modulation. Here we discuss recent advances in the field of immune cell mechanobiology at the molecular and cellular scale.

TRPV4—A Missing Link Between Mechanosensation and Immunity

“…Mechanical forces generated by hemodynamic forces or a factor of ECM composition under physiological and pathophysiological conditions are acting on immune cells and can be subclassified in (i) mechanical stretch by shape changes during cell passage through narrow capillary segments, (ii) shear stress acting on circulating or adherent immune cells as a function of blood flow or viscosity, and (iii) changes in substrate stiffness of the ECM induced by inflammation (81,82).…”

Implications of cellular metabolism for immune cell migration

“…6,31,32 Integrin signalling engages signalling cascades that promote cell spreading and survival, and stimulates pathways such as PI3 K/AKT known to affect cellular metabolism. 33 Although there is a well-established link between cytoskeletal rearrangements, integrin signalling and mechanotransduction in immune cells, 32,34 how these processes directly affect cellular metabolism and migratory capacity of immune cells is currently not well understood. However, a number of studies in other cell types suggest that integrin engagement and signalling result in changes in metabolism.…”

Receptor-mediated cell mechanosensing

“…Unlike receptors for soluble agonists, these receptors bind immobilized ligands and, as such, are subject to mechanical forces. Thus, signaling via these receptors can be modulated or even triggered by force ( Upadhyaya, 2017 ).…”