Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
08:46
Real-time Evaluation of Absolute, Cytosolic, Free Ca2+ and Corresponding Contractility in Isolated, Pressurized Lymph Vessels
Published on: March 22, 2024
Mechanotransduction in lymphatic endothelial cells
1Department of Neuroscience, Molecular Medicine Section, University of Siena, Italy.
Lymphology
|December 8, 2007
Summary
Fibrillin anchoring filaments connect lymphatic endothelial cells via focal adhesions, potentially triggering mechanotransduction pathways. This process may enable cells to adapt to interstitial fluid changes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Physiology
Background:
- Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) possess fibrillin anchoring filaments linked to elastic fibers.
- These filaments are hypothesized to aid interstitial fluid drainage by influencing interendothelial junctions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between focal adhesion molecules and anchoring filaments in LECs.
- To determine if these structures mediate mechanotransduction of extracellular forces to the nucleus.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry on human skin cryostat sections to assess co-localization of fibrillin, integrins, and FAK.
- Static stretching of bovine thoracic duct segments and cultured LECs.
- Immunohistochemical evaluation and Western blotting for ERK1/2 expression.
Main Results:
- Integrins and FAK co-localized in LECs, with fibrillin filament attachment sites merging with these molecules.
- Stretching induced nuclear localization of ERK1/2 in both tissue segments and cultured cells.
- Data suggest fibrillin anchoring filaments connect to LECs via focal adhesions.
Conclusions:
- Fibrillin anchoring filaments likely connect to LECs through focal adhesions.
- A focal adhesion-mediated cascade of mechanotransduction towards the nucleus is proposed.
- This pathway may contribute to endothelial adaptation to interstitial fluid requirements.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Tension Response at Adherens Junctions
The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
01:31Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
01:13Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
01:16Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport
Lymphatic vessels, known as lymphatics, are crucial in transporting lymph from peripheral tissues to our venous system. This process begins with lymph entering through tiny capillaries that branch through tissues. These capillaries have unique features such as larger diameters, thinner walls, and a distinctive one-way valve system formed by overlapping endothelial cells.
This one-way system allows fluids, solutes, and even pathogens to enter but prevents their return to the intercellular spaces.
This one-way system allows fluids, solutes, and even pathogens to enter but prevents their return to the intercellular spaces.
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
01:15Activation of Integrins
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.