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. 2024 May 1;15(5):307. doi: 10.1038/s41419-024-06697-4

Fig. 3. Mechanical forces influence immune cell movement and functionality.

Fig. 3

A Force changes detected by immune cell integrins drive movement through retrograde F-actin flow, connected by myosin II. B Membrane tension opens ion channels on immune cells, converting extracellular mechanical cues into intracellular biochemical signals via ion influx. C Under force, immune cells connect to epithelial cells via selectins and roll on their surfaces. At specific sites, immune cell integrins bind to receptors on epithelial cells. Post-adhesion, immune cells develop invadopodia-like protrusions (ILPs), aiding in transmigration. D Antigen recognition necessitates direct contact between T cells and APCs. Mechanical forces influencing receptor-ligand bond formation affect the formation of the immunological synapse. LFA1, the primary integrin on T and B cells, binds tightly to adhesion molecules ICAM1 and ICAM2 on APCs, governing mechanosensitive antigen recognition. E B cells selectively internalize high-affinity antigens via myosin IIa-driven contraction, pulling and invaginating the presenting membranes. F CTLs tighten synapses on target cell membranes by applying force, promoting perforin’s pore-forming activity, and enhancing cytotoxicity.