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Updated: Aug 30, 2025
Study of Cell Migration in Microfabricated Channels
Published on: February 21, 2014
Effects of vimentin on the migration, search efficiency, and mechanical resilience of dendritic cells
M Reza Shaebani1, Luiza Stankevicins2, Doriane Vesperini2
1Department of Theoretical Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany; Centre for Biophysics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
Abstract:
Dendritic cells use amoeboid migration to pass through narrow passages in the extracellular matrix and confined tissue in search for pathogens and to reach the lymph nodes and alert the immune system. Amoeboid migration is a migration mode that, instead of relying on cell adhesion, is based on mechanical resilience and friction. To better understand the role of intermediate filaments in ameboid migration, we studied the effects of vimentin on the migration of dendritic cells. We show that the lymph node homing of vimentin-deficient cells is reduced in our in vivo experiments in mice. Lack of vimentin also reduces the cell stiffness, the number of migrating cells, and the migration speed in vitro in both 1D and 2D confined environments. Moreover, we find that lack of vimentin weakens the correlation between directional persistence and migration speed. Thus, vimentin-expressing dendritic cells move faster in straighter lines. Our numerical simulations of persistent random search in confined geometries verify that the reduced migration speed and the weaker correlation between the speed and direction of motion result in longer search times to find regularly located targets. Together, these observations show that vimentin enhances the ameboid migration of dendritic cells, which is relevant for the efficiency of their random search for pathogens.
Insights
Vimentin, a key protein in dendritic cell migration, enhances their ability to move through tissues and find pathogens. Lacking vimentin reduces cell movement speed and directional persistence, impacting immune system efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Dendritic cells are crucial for immune responses, utilizing amoeboid migration to navigate tissues and locate pathogens.
- Amoeboid migration relies on mechanical properties rather than cell adhesion.
- Intermediate filaments, like vimentin, are implicated in cell mechanics and migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of vimentin in dendritic cell amoeboid migration.
- To understand how vimentin affects cell stiffness, migration speed, and directionality in confined environments.
Main Methods:
- In vivo experiments in mice to assess lymph node homing of vimentin-deficient dendritic cells.
- In vitro studies in 1D and 2D confined environments to measure cell stiffness, migration speed, and cell number.
- Numerical simulations of persistent random search in confined geometries.
Main Results:
- Vimentin-deficient dendritic cells exhibit reduced lymph node homing in vivo.
- Lack of vimentin decreases cell stiffness, migration speed, and the number of migrating cells in vitro.
- Vimentin deficiency weakens the correlation between directional persistence and migration speed, leading to slower and less directed movement.
- Numerical simulations confirm that reduced speed and directionality increase pathogen search times.
Conclusions:
- Vimentin is essential for efficient amoeboid migration of dendritic cells.
- Vimentin enhances cell stiffness and directional persistence, optimizing pathogen search and immune surveillance.
- These findings highlight vimentin's critical role in immune cell function and tissue navigation.
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