Rigidity of circulating lymphocytes is primarily conferred by vimentin intermediate filaments
MJ Brown, JA Hallam, E Colucci-Guyon… - The Journal of …, 2001 - journals.aai.org
MJ Brown, JA Hallam, E Colucci-Guyon, S Shaw
The Journal of Immunology, 2001•journals.aai.orgLymphocytes need rigidity while in circulation, but must abruptly become deformable to
undergo transmigration into tissue. Previously, the control of leukocyte deformability has
been attributed to microfilaments or microtubules, but the present studies demonstrate the
greater importance of vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs). In circulating T lymphocytes, IFs
form a distinctive spherical cage that undergoes a rapid condensation into a juxtanuclear
aggregate during chemokine-induced polarization. Measurements of the resistance of …
undergo transmigration into tissue. Previously, the control of leukocyte deformability has
been attributed to microfilaments or microtubules, but the present studies demonstrate the
greater importance of vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs). In circulating T lymphocytes, IFs
form a distinctive spherical cage that undergoes a rapid condensation into a juxtanuclear
aggregate during chemokine-induced polarization. Measurements of the resistance of …
Abstract
Lymphocytes need rigidity while in circulation, but must abruptly become deformable to undergo transmigration into tissue. Previously, the control of leukocyte deformability has been attributed to microfilaments or microtubules, but the present studies demonstrate the greater importance of vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs). In circulating T lymphocytes, IFs form a distinctive spherical cage that undergoes a rapid condensation into a juxtanuclear aggregate during chemokine-induced polarization. Measurements of the resistance of peripheral blood T lymphocytes to global deformation demonstrate that their rigidity is primarily dependent on intact vimentin filaments. Microtubules, in contrast, are not sufficient to maintain rigidity. Thus, vimentin IFs are a primary source of structural support in circulating human lymphocytes, and their regulated collapse is likely to be an essential element in chemokine-induced transendothelial migration.
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