Activated T cell trans-endothelial migration relies on myosin-IIA contractility for squeezing the cell nucleus through endothelial cell barriers.
Following activation, T cells are released from lymph nodes to traffic via the blood to effector sites. The re-entry of these activated T cells into tissues represents a critical step for them to carry out local effector functions. Here we have assessed defects in effector T cells that are acutely depleted in Myosin-IIA (MyoIIA) and show a T cell intrinsic requirement for this motor to facilitate the diapedesis step of extravasation. We show that MyoIIA accumulates at the rear of T cells undergoing trans-endothelial migration. T cells can extend protrusions and project a substantial portion of their cytoplasm through the endothelial wall in the absence of MyoIIA. However, this motor protein plays a crucial role in allowing T cells to complete the movement of their relatively rigid nucleus through the endothelial junctions. In vivo, this defect manifests as poor entry into lymph nodes, tumors and into the spinal cord, during tissue-specific autoimmunity, but not the spleen. This suggests that therapeutic targeting of this molecule may allow for differential attenuation of tissue-specific inflammatory responses.
Integrated Department of Immunology, National Jewish Health and University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, United States of America.
Jordan
J
Jacobelli
Miriam
M
Estin Matthews
Stephanie
S
Chen
Matthew F
MF
Krummel
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D024507:Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIA / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D057705:Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration / Q000235:genetics
D024507:Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIA