title: Immunological responses and actin dynamics in macrophages are controlled by N-cofilin but are independent from ADF.
abstract: Dynamic changes in the actin cytoskeleton are essential for immune cell function and a number of immune deficiencies have been linked to mutations, which disturb the actin cytoskeleton. In macrophages and dendritic cells, actin remodelling is critical for motility, phagocytosis and antigen presentation, however the actin binding proteins, which control antigen presentation have been poorly characterized. Here we dissect the specific roles of the family of ADF/cofilin F-actin depolymerizing factors in macrophages and in local immune responses. Macrophage migration, cell polarization and antigen presentation to T-cells require n-cofilin mediated F-actin remodelling. Using a conditional mouse model, we show that n-cofilin also controls MHC class II-dependent antigen presentation. Other cellular processes such as phagocytosis and antigen processing were found to be independent of n-cofilin. Our data identify n-cofilin as a novel regulator of antigen presentation, while ADF on the other hand is dispensable for macrophage motility and antigen presentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Friederike
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jönsson
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Gurniak
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kirfel
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Witke
mesh_terms: D051339:Actin Depolymerizing Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048430:Cell Shape; D051338:Cofilin 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048749:Cytokinesis; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D017353:Gene Deletion; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051339:Actin Depolymerizing Factors; D000199:Actins; D051338:Cofilin 1; D020033:Protein Isoforms