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Lymphocyte mechanotransduction: The regulatory role of cytoskeletal dynamics in signaling cascades and effector functions
Author(s) -
BenShmuel Aviad,
Joseph Noah,
Sabag Batel,
BardaSaad Mira
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.mr0718-267r
Subject(s) - mechanotransduction , cytoskeleton , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , effector , signal transduction , actin cytoskeleton , immunological synapse , cell adhesion , cell signaling , immune system , cell , immunology , t cell , biochemistry , t cell receptor
The process of mechanotransduction, that is, conversion of physical forces into biochemical signaling cascades, has attracted interest as a potential mechanism for regulating immune cell activation. The cytoskeleton serves a critical role in a variety of lymphocyte functions, from cellular activation, proliferation, adhesion, and migration, to creation of stable immune synapses, and execution of functions such as directed cytotoxicity. Though traditionally considered a scaffold that enables formation of signaling complexes that maintain stable immune synapses, the cytoskeleton was additionally shown to play a dynamic role in lymphocyte signaling cascades by sensing physical cues such as substrate rigidity, and transducing these mechanical features into chemical signals that ultimately influence lymphocyte effector functions. It is thus becoming clear that cytoskeletal dynamics are essential for the lymphocyte response, beyond the role of the cytoskeleton as a stationary framework. Here, we describe the transduction of extracellular forces to activate signaling pathways and effector functions mediated through the cytoskeleton in lymphocytes. We also highlight recent discoveries of cytoskeleton‐mediated mechanotransduction on intracellular signaling pathways in NK cells.