Mechanosensation and Mechanotransduction in Natural Killer Cells.

Abstract	Natural killer (NK) cells are a main subset of innate lymphocytes that contribute to host immune protection against viruses and tumors by mediating target cell killing and secreting a wide array of cytokines. Their functions are finely regulated by a balance between activating and inhibitory receptors and involve also adhesive interactions. Mechanotransduction is the process in which physical forces sensed by mechanosensors are translated into chemical signaling. Herein, we report findings on the involvement of this mechanism that is mainly mediated by actin cytoskeleton, in the regulation of NK cell adhesion, migration, tissue infiltration and functions. Actin represents the structural basis for NK cell immunological synapse (NKIS) and polarization of secretory apparatus. NK-target cell interaction involves the formation of both uropods and membrane nanotubes that allow target cell interaction over long distances. Actin retrograde flow (ARF) regulates NK cell signaling and controls the equilibrium between activation versus inhibition. Activating NKIS is associated with rapid lamellipodial ARF, whereas lower centripetal actin flow is present during inhibitory NKIS where β actin can associate with the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1. Overall, a better knowledge of mechanotransduction might represent a future challenge: Realization of nanomaterials tailored for NK cells, would be important to translate in vitro studies in in vivo new immunotherapeutic approaches.
Authors	Giorgio Santoni, Consuelo Amantini, Matteo Santoni, Federica Maggi, Maria Beatrice Morelli, Angela Santoni
Journal	Frontiers in immunology (Front Immunol) Vol. 12 Pg. 688918 ( 2021) ISSN: 1664-3224 [Electronic] Switzerland
PMID	34335592 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
Copyright	Copyright © 2021 Santoni, Amantini, Santoni, Maggi, Morelli and Santoni.
Topics	Actin Cytoskeleton (immunology) Cell Movement Humans Immunological Synapses (immunology) Killer Cells, Natural (immunology, physiology) Mechanotransduction, Cellular Nanostructures

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.

Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!