Swoger Maxx, Ho Thanh Minh Tri, Patteson Alison E
Department of Physics, Syracuse University, USA; BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Department of Physics, Syracuse University, USA; BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, USA.
Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2025 Jun;94:102521. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102521. Epub 2025 Apr 26.
Cells must navigate crowded and confining 3D environments during normal function in vivo. Essential to their ability to navigate these environments safely and efficiently is their ability to mediate and endure both self-generated and external forces. The cytoskeleton, composed of F-actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments, provides the mechanical support necessary for force mediation. The role of F-actin and microtubules in this process has been well studied, whereas vimentin, a cytoplasmic intermediate filament associated with mesenchymal cells, is less studied. However, there is growing evidence that vimentin has functions in both force transmission and protection of the cell from mechanical stress that actin and microtubules cannot fulfill. This review focuses on recent reports highlighting vimentin's role in regulating forces in confining environments.
在体内正常功能期间，细胞必须在拥挤且受限的三维环境中移动。它们安全且高效地在这些环境中移动的能力的关键在于其介导和承受自身产生的力以及外力的能力。由F-肌动蛋白、微管和中间丝组成的细胞骨架提供了力介导所需的机械支撑。F-肌动蛋白和微管在这一过程中的作用已得到充分研究，而波形蛋白，一种与间充质细胞相关的细胞质中间丝，则较少被研究。然而，越来越多的证据表明，波形蛋白在力传递以及保护细胞免受肌动蛋白和微管无法实现的机械应力方面均发挥作用。本综述聚焦于近期突出波形蛋白在受限环境中调节力的作用的报告。
