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Spatially Distinct Myosin II Architectures Regulate Protrusion Dynamics and Directional Persistence during Immune
Nicolas Melis1,2, Desu Chen1, Emily Chen1
1Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Directional cell migration relies on organizing cytoskeletal dynamics. This study reveals how distinct non-muscle myosin II (NMII) structures coordinate cell protrusions over time, stabilizing migration in complex tissues.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Immune cell migration is crucial for tissue function.
- Stabilizing directional migration in 3D environments is complex.
- The role of cytoskeletal dynamics in immune cell navigation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of non-muscle myosin II (NMII) in stabilizing directional migration of neutrophils.
- To elucidate how NMII architectures coordinate cell protrusion dynamics in 3D environments.
Main Methods:
- Intravital subcellular microscopy
- Quantitative analysis of membrane dynamics
- In vivo and in vitro migration assays in collagen matrices
- Pharmacological perturbation of NMII activity
Main Results:
- Two distinct NMII architectures were identified: leading-edge lattice structures and rear contractile bundles.
- Directional persistence strongly correlates with protrusion lifetime and sustained NMII engagement, particularly rear NMII load.
- Temporal organization of protrusions, not their abundance, dictates directional migration.
- Disruption of NMII activity redistribution alters migration trajectories.
Conclusions:
- Spatially distinct NMII architectures coordinate protrusion dynamics over time to stabilize neutrophil migration.
- Temporal organization of cytoskeletal activity is key for directional persistence in complex environments.
- NMII plays a critical role in integrating protrusion dynamics for directed cell movement.
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