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Iliopoulou M, Bajur AT, McArthur HCW, Gabai M, Coyle C, Ajao F, Köchl R, Cope AP, Spillane KM. Extracellular matrix rigidity modulates physical properties of subcapsular sinus macrophage-B cell immune synapses. Biophys J 2024; 123:2282-2300. [PMID: 37840242 PMCID: PMC11331050 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Subcapsular sinus macrophages (SSMs) play a key role in immune defense by forming immunological barriers that control the transport of antigens from lymph into lymph node follicles. SSMs participate in antibody responses by presenting antigens directly to naive B cells and by supplying antigens to follicular dendritic cells to propagate germinal center reactions. Despite the prominent roles that SSMs play during immune responses, little is known about their cell biology because they are technically challenging to isolate and study in vitro. Here, we used multicolor fluorescence microscopy to identify lymph node-derived SSMs in culture. We focused on the role of SSMs as antigen-presenting cells, and found that their actin cytoskeleton regulates the spatial organization and mobility of multivalent antigens (immune complexes [ICs]) displayed on the cell surface. Moreover, we determined that SSMs are mechanosensitive cells that respond to changes in extracellular matrix rigidity by altering the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton, leading to changes in cell morphology, membrane topography, and IC mobility. Changes to extracellular matrix rigidity also modulate actin remodeling by both SSMs and B cells when they form an immune synapse. This alters synapse duration but not IC internalization nor NF-κB activation in the B cell. Taken together, our data reveal that the mechanical microenvironment may influence B cell responses by modulating physical characteristics of antigen presentation by SSMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maro Iliopoulou
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna T Bajur
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael Gabai
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carl Coyle
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Favour Ajao
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Köchl
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P Cope
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katelyn M Spillane
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Rogers J, Bajur AT, Salaita K, Spillane KM. Mechanical control of antigen detection and discrimination by T and B cell receptors. Biophys J 2024; 123:2234-2255. [PMID: 38794795 PMCID: PMC11331051 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The adaptive immune response is orchestrated by just two cell types, T cells and B cells. Both cells possess the remarkable ability to recognize virtually any antigen through their respective antigen receptors-the T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR). Despite extensive investigations into the biochemical signaling events triggered by antigen recognition in these cells, our ability to predict or control the outcome of T and B cell activation remains elusive. This challenge is compounded by the sensitivity of T and B cells to the biophysical properties of antigens and the cells presenting them-a phenomenon we are just beginning to understand. Recent insights underscore the central role of mechanical forces in this process, governing the conformation, signaling activity, and spatial organization of TCRs and BCRs within the cell membrane, ultimately eliciting distinct cellular responses. Traditionally, T cells and B cells have been studied independently, with researchers working in parallel to decipher the mechanisms of activation. While these investigations have unveiled many overlaps in how these cell types sense and respond to antigens, notable differences exist. To fully grasp their biology and harness it for therapeutic purposes, these distinctions must be considered. This review compares and contrasts the TCR and BCR, placing emphasis on the role of mechanical force in regulating the activity of both receptors to shape cellular and humoral adaptive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhordan Rogers
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anna T Bajur
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Katelyn M Spillane
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Sanicas M, Torro R, Limozin L, Chames P. Antigen density and applied force control enrichment of nanobody-expressing yeast cells in microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2944-2957. [PMID: 38716822 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00011k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
In vitro display technologies such as yeast display have been instrumental in developing the selection of new antibodies, antibody fragments or nanobodies that bind to a specific target, with affinity towards the target being the main factor that influences selection outcome. However, the roles of mechanical forces are being increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in the regulation and activation of effector cell function. It would thus be of interest to isolate binders behaving optimally under the influence of mechanical forces. We developed a microfluidic assay allowing the selection of yeast displaying nanobodies through antigen-specific immobilization on a surface under controlled hydrodynamic flow. This approach enabled enrichment of model yeast mixtures using tunable antigen density and applied force. This new force-based selection method opens the possibility of selecting binders by relying on both their affinity and force resistance, with implications for the design of more efficient immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin Sanicas
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Institute Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, LAI, Marseille, France.
| | - Rémy Torro
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, LAI, Marseille, France.
| | - Laurent Limozin
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, LAI, Marseille, France.
| | - Patrick Chames
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INSERM, CRCM, Institute Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France.
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Quapp W, Bofill JM. Theory and Examples of Catch Bonds. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:4097-4110. [PMID: 38634732 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c00468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
We discuss slip bonds, catch bonds, and the tug-of-war mechanism using mathematical arguments. The aim is to explain the theoretical tool of molecular potential energy surfaces (PESs). For this, we propose simple 2-dimensional surface models to demonstrate how a molecule under an external force behaves. Examples are selectins. Catch bonds, in particular, are explained in more detail, and they are contrasted to slip bonds. We can support special two-dimensional molecular PESs for E- and L-selectin which allow the catch bond property. We demonstrate that Newton trajectories (NT) are powerful tools to describe these phenomena. NTs form the theoretical background of mechanochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Quapp
- Mathematisches Institut, Universität Leipzig, PF 100920, Leipzig D-04009, Germany
| | - Josep Maria Bofill
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Secció de Química Orgànica, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional, (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, Barcelona 08028, Spain
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Mittelheisser V, Gensbittel V, Bonati L, Li W, Tang L, Goetz JG. Evidence and therapeutic implications of biomechanically regulated immunosurveillance in cancer and other diseases. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:281-297. [PMID: 38286876 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01535-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Disease progression is usually accompanied by changes in the biochemical composition of cells and tissues and their biophysical properties. For instance, hallmarks of cancer include the stiffening of tissues caused by extracellular matrix remodelling and the softening of individual cancer cells. In this context, accumulating evidence has shown that immune cells sense and respond to mechanical signals from the environment. However, the mechanisms regulating these mechanical aspects of immune surveillance remain partially understood. The growing appreciation for the 'mechano-immunology' field has urged researchers to investigate how immune cells sense and respond to mechanical cues in various disease settings, paving the way for the development of novel engineering strategies that aim at mechanically modulating and potentiating immune cells for enhanced immunotherapies. Recent pioneer developments in this direction have laid the foundations for leveraging 'mechanical immunoengineering' strategies to treat various diseases. This Review first outlines the mechanical changes occurring during pathological progression in several diseases, including cancer, fibrosis and infection. We next highlight the mechanosensitive nature of immune cells and how mechanical forces govern the immune responses in different diseases. Finally, we discuss how targeting the biomechanical features of the disease milieu and immune cells is a promising strategy for manipulating therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mittelheisser
- Tumor Biomechanics, INSERM UMR_S1109, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valentin Gensbittel
- Tumor Biomechanics, INSERM UMR_S1109, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lucia Bonati
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Weilin Li
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Li Tang
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Jacky G Goetz
- Tumor Biomechanics, INSERM UMR_S1109, Strasbourg, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France.
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France.
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Jeffreys N, Brockman JM, Zhai Y, Ingber DE, Mooney DJ. Mechanical forces amplify TCR mechanotransduction in T cell activation and function. APPLIED PHYSICS REVIEWS 2024; 11:011304. [PMID: 38434676 PMCID: PMC10848667 DOI: 10.1063/5.0166848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell immunotherapies, including engineered T cell receptor (eTCR) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapies, have shown efficacy in treating a subset of hematologic malignancies, exhibit promise in solid tumors, and have many other potential applications, such as in fibrosis, autoimmunity, and regenerative medicine. While immunoengineering has focused on designing biomaterials to present biochemical cues to manipulate T cells ex vivo and in vivo, mechanical cues that regulate their biology have been largely underappreciated. This review highlights the contributions of mechanical force to several receptor-ligand interactions critical to T cell function, with central focus on the TCR-peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complex (pMHC). We then emphasize the role of mechanical forces in (i) allosteric strengthening of the TCR-pMHC interaction in amplifying ligand discrimination during T cell antigen recognition prior to activation and (ii) T cell interactions with the extracellular matrix. We then describe approaches to design eTCRs, CARs, and biomaterials to exploit TCR mechanosensitivity in order to potentiate T cell manufacturing and function in adoptive T cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yunhao Zhai
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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