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Analysis of Shear Flow-induced Migration of Murine Marginal Zone B Cells In Vitro
Published on: November 26, 2018
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Quantitative analysis of B-lymphocyte migration directed by CXCL13
Xiaji Liu1, Sreeja B Asokan, James E Bear
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7905, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905, USA. jason_haugh@ncsu.edu.
Summary
B-lymphocyte migration is crucial for immune responses. This study quantifies B cell movement and shape changes, revealing how they respond to chemokine gradients like CXCL13 for directed migration.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- B-lymphocyte migration is vital for immune responses, guiding cells to antigen presentation sites.
- Quantitative studies on B cell migration dynamics are less common than for other leukocytes.
- Understanding B cell morphodynamics and chemotaxis is key to deciphering immune cell trafficking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively characterize the morphodynamics of primary murine B cells during migration.
- To investigate B cell directed migration in response to chemokine (CXCL13) and adhesive ligand (ICAM-1) gradients.
- To determine the factors influencing B cell tactic fidelity and persistent random walk behavior.
Main Methods:
- Total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy was employed to observe B cell shape changes.
- A microfluidic device was utilized to generate controlled adsorbed CXCL13 gradients.
- Haptotaxis assays were performed to measure B cell migration bias and persistence.
Main Results:
- B cells displayed spontaneous shape fluctuations (dilation/shrinking) at the leading edge, predicting migratory direction.
- A modest but consistent bias towards CXCL13 gradients was observed in B cell migration.
- Migration persistence increased when the cell's direction aligned with the chemokine gradient, with optimal fidelity at steeper gradients.
Conclusions:
- B cell morphodynamics are dynamic and predictive of migratory behavior.
- B cells exhibit chemotaxis towards CXCL13, with migration fidelity influenced by gradient steepness.
- These findings provide quantitative insights into B cell homing and immune surveillance mechanisms.
