Abstract
The mammalian cytoskeleton forms a mechanical continuum that spans across the cell, connecting the cell surface to the nucleus via transmembrane protein complexes in the plasma and nuclear membranes. It transmits extracellular forces to the cell interior, providing mechanical cues that influence cellular decisions, but also actively generates intracellular forces, enabling the cell to probe and remodel its tissue microenvironment. Cells adapt their gene expression profile and morphology to external cues provided by the matrix and adjacent cells as well as to cell-intrinsic changes in cytoplasmic and nuclear volume. The cytoskeleton is a complex filamentous network of three interpenetrating structural proteins: actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Traditionally the actin cytoskeleton is considered the main contributor to mechanosensitivity. This view is now shifting owing to the mounting evidence that the three cytoskeletal filaments have interdependent functions due to cytoskeletal crosstalk, with intermediate filaments taking a central role. In this Mini Review we discuss how cytoskeletal crosstalk confers mechanosensitivity to cells and tissues, with a particular focus on the role of intermediate filaments. We propose a view of the cytoskeleton as a composite structure, in which cytoskeletal crosstalk regulates the local stability and organization of all three filament families at the sub-cellular scale, cytoskeletal mechanics at the cellular scale, and cell adaptation to external cues at the tissue scale.
Introduction
The cytoskeleton is a fascinating cellular machinery that performs multiple, to some extent contradictory, functions. It acts as a stable structural scaffold providing cells with a specific functional shape and protecting against external forces. Accordingly, genetic defects in cytoskeletal proteins are associated with mechanical defects in cells and tissues, which for instance result in kidney scarring (), skin fragility (), and muscle failure (). On the other hand, the cytoskeletal structures are also dynamic enough to enable cell migration, division and mechanosensitive response to the environment ().
Although the cytoskeleton is highly dynamic at the subcellular (nm) scale, it nevertheless maintains structural integrity at the cell scale (microns) and at the tissue scale (up to millimeters). This disparity is most likely due to the composite nature of the cytoskeleton, based around three protein filament networks with distinct structural, mechanical and biochemical properties: actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments (Figures 1A,B). All three filaments are reversible polymers that self-assemble from weakly interacting subunits whose local availability is a critical determinant of local cytoskeletal dynamics (; ). Both actin filaments and microtubules are structurally polar filaments, respectively composed of actin monomers that hydrolyze ATP, and tubulin dimers that hydrolyze GTP. They both exhibit fast ( ∼ seconds to minutes) turnover rates fueled by ATP/GTP hydrolysis (; ). By contrast, intermediate filaments are non-polar filaments that lack intrinsic enzymatic activity (; ). Their remodeling occurs by slow ( ∼ hours) exchange of filamentous tetramers (; ; ). It has been proposed that this long-lived intermediate filament network mechanically integrates the cytoskeleton and provides structural memory that helps maintain cell polarity ().
FIGURE 1
Each of the three cytoskeletal networks has its own set of dedicated regulatory proteins that control their structure, dynamics and mechanics with high spatial and temporal precision (
It is increasingly recognized that the functions of the three structural systems are tightly coupled via crosslinkers, motors, adhesion complexes and shared signaling factors. Recently, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cytoskeletal crosstalk and its consequences for cell shape, mechanics and fundamental processes such as directional migration, has grown (
Contributions of Cytoskeletal Crosstalk to Mechanosensing at the Cell Membrane
Mechanosensing at Cell/Extracellular Matrix Contacts
Cell-matrix contacts are key players in mechanotransduction as they enable cells to apply forces on the extracellular matrix, in response to its mechanical properties (
Focal adhesions are mostly identified with actin-based structures; however, multiple intermediate filament proteins have also been identified at focal adhesions (Figure 1A1). In epithelial cells, keratin filaments are nucleated at focal adhesions and transported inwards assisted by the actin cytoskeleton (
Intermediate filaments are further anchored to the cell surface by proteins of the plakin family, specifically plectin in hemidesmosomes and desmoplakin in desmosomes (
Mechanosignalling at Cell-Cell Contacts
Cell-cell interactions play a crucial role in physiological mechanosensitive processes such as tissue morphogenesis, but also in pathological processes such as inflammatory bowel diseases (
Although previous studies examining adherens junctions (
Contributions of Cytoskeletal Crosstalk to Force Transmission Through the Cytoplasm
Physical interactions between intermediate filaments, actin, and microtubules influence the mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton as a whole, and hence force transmission from the cell surface to the nucleus (Figure 1B). The three cytoskeletal filaments strongly differ in their bending rigidity, as quantified by the persistence length, lp. Intermediate filaments are most flexible, with lp ≈ 0.5–2 μm, microtubules are most rigid, with lp ≈ 1–10 mm, and actin filaments are intermediate with lp ≈ 8 μm (
Reconstituted networks of purified actin and intermediate filaments (vimentin or keratin) strain-stiffen when exposed to shear or tensile stresses. These filaments are semiflexible, with a persistence length that is of the same order as the contour length. Experiments and theoretical modelling demonstrated that strain-stiffening occurs because the thermally undulating filaments are straightened out by tensile strains, which reduces the conformational entropy of the fluctuating polymer segments between adjacent crosslinks, and hence opposes further deformation (
These physical effects identified in simplified reconstituted systems likely contribute to mechanical co-dependencies observed in cells, such as toughening by stress dissipation in the vimentin network (
Contributions of Cytoskeletal Crosstalk to Mechanosensitivity at the Nucleus
The nucleus plays a key role in mechanotransduction and mechanosensing (reviewed in (
The physical links between the nuclear lamins and the cytoskeleton provide continuous feedback between the mechanical properties of the nucleus of the cell and its environment (
Discussion
In this mini-review, we gathered recent evidence demonstrating the contribution of cytoskeletal crosstalk in transferring mechanical signals from contact points at the plasma membrane to the nucleus. Intermediate filaments play a central role in this crosstalk, by interacting with the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton, cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions, and nuclear complexes. We propose to shift focus in cytoskeletal and mechanobiological research towards a more holistic view of the cytoskeleton as a composite structure, examining the responses of all three structural families to mechanical cues. The central role of intermediate filaments in mechanosensitivity may render cell/tissue-specific mechanosensitivity. Moreover, during development, aging or pathology, the composition of the intermediate filament cytoskeleton undergoes major changes (
Elucidating the mechanisms by which intermediate filaments contribute to mechanosensing and mechanotransduction is far from trivial given the molecular complexity of the cytoskeletal proteome together with its cell/tissue specificity. Connecting the manifold molecular-scale interactions to the emergent mechano-biological functions at the cellular level is also challenging. To delineate the functions of different intermediate filament proteins across scales, we believe that it is vital to combine studies in cell culture models and model organisms, where cells can be studied in their native context, with studies of “clean” reconstituted systems, where cytoskeletal crosstalk can be studied under controlled conditions to facilitate combinations with predictive models.
TABLE 1
| Localization | Relevant Cytoskeletal Filaments | Interacting Proteins | Cellular Function | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ventral membrane (Focal adhesions; epithelial cells) | Keratin | Zyxin | Focal adhesions control keratin formation, turnover and transport | ( |
| Paxillin | ||||
| Actin | Talin | |||
| Ventral membrane (Focal adhesions; mesenchymal cells) | Vimentin | Plectin | Vimentin restricts focal adhesion size and regulates integrin trafficking; focal adhesions control vimentin organization | ( |
| Integrins β1, β3 | ||||
| Vinculin | ||||
| Actin | FAK | |||
| Hic-5 | ||||
| Filamin A | ||||
| Lamellipodia (Fibroblasts) | Vimentin | RAC1 | Vimentin detachment from membrane sites is essential for lamellipodia formation | |
| Actin | ||||
| Membrane: (hemidesmosomes; epithelial cells) | Keratin | Integrin α6β4 | Hemidesmosomes control keratin organization, likely important for tissue resilience | ( |
| Actin | ||||
| Microtubules | ||||
| Membrane: (Cell-Cell junctions + leading edge; astrocytes) | Vimentin | Paxillin | Vimentin promotes collective directed migration by regulating actomyosin traction force generation | |
| Plectin | ||||
| Actin | N-Cadherin | |||
| E-Catenin | ||||
| Cortex | Vimentin | Plectin | Vimentin interaction maintains cortex tension, required for cell division of confined cells | ( |
| Actin | ||||
| Cytoplasm (mesenchymal cells) | Vimentin | Plectin | Plectins crosslink the cytoskeletal networks for cell integrity; vimentin regulates actin stress fibers | ( |
| Actin | ||||
| Microtubules | ||||
| Cytoplasm (mesenchymal cells) | Vimentin | Plectin | Actin arcs drive perinuclear vimentin accumulation; vimentin restrains width of the actin-filled lamellum | ( |
| Actin | ||||
| Cytoplasm | Actin | Plectin | Matrix rigidity sensing and cell mechanical properties | ( |
| Keratin14 | ||||
| Lamin A/C | Paxillin | |||
| Nucleus | Vimentin | LINC complex formed by sun and nesprin proteins | Nucleo-cytoskeletal force transmission maintains nuclear position under strain and during migration | ( |
| Actin | ||||
| Microtubules | ||||
| Lamin A/C |
Selected examples of known cytoskeletal crosstalk interactions relevant for environmental mechanosensing that involve intermediate filaments. Interactions are sorted by subcellular localization, noting the structural and crosslinker proteins known to be involved in the crosstalk, as well as the major cellular function.
Statements
Author contributions
All authors listed have made a substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to the work and approved it for publication.
Funding
This publication is part of the project “How cytoskeletal teamwork makes cells strong” with project number VI.C.182.004 of the NWO Talent Programme which is financed by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
Acknowledgments
We thank Pradeep Das for his useful comments on an early version of the manuscipt.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
References
1
AdilM. S.NarayananS. P.SomanathP. R. (2021). Cell-cell Junctions: Structure and Regulation in Physiology and Pathology. Tissue Barriers9 (1), 1848212. 10.1080/21688370.2020.1848212
2
AlmeidaF. V.WalkoG.McMillanJ. R.McGrathJ. A.WicheG.BarberA. H.et al (2015). The Cytolinker Plectin Regulates Nuclear Mechanotransduction in Keratinocytes. J. Cel Sci128 (24), 4475–4486. 10.1242/jcs.173435
3
Angulo-UrarteA.van der WalT.HuveneersS. (2020). Cell-cell Junctions as Sensors and Transducers of Mechanical Forces. Biochim. Biophys. Acta (Bba) - Biomembranes1862 (9), 183316. 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183316
4
ArsenovicP. T.RamachandranI.BathulaK.ZhuR.NarangJ. D.NollN. A.et al (2016). Nesprin-2G, a Component of the Nuclear LINC Complex, Is Subject to Myosin-dependent Tension. Biophysical J.110 (1), 34–43. 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.11.014
5
Aufderhorst-RobertsA.KoenderinkG. H. (2019). Stiffening and Inelastic Fluidization in Vimentin Intermediate Filament Networks. Soft Matter15 (36), 7127–7136. 10.1039/c9sm00590k
6
BayirE.SendemirA. (2021). Role of Intermediate Filaments in Blood-Brain Barrier in Health and Disease. Cells10 (6), 1400. 10.3390/cells10061400
7
BhattacharyaR.GonzalezA. M.DebiaseP. J.TrejoH. E.GoldmanR. D.FlitneyF. W.et al (2009). Recruitment of Vimentin to the Cell Surface by Beta3 Integrin and Plectin Mediates Adhesion Strength. J. Cel Sci122 (Pt 9), 1390–1400. 10.1242/jcs.043042
8
BiedzinskiS.AgsuG.VianayB.DelordM.BlanchoinL.LargheroJ.et al (2020). Microtubules Control Nuclear Shape and Gene Expression during Early Stages of Hematopoietic Differentiation. EMBO J.39 (23), e103957. 10.15252/embj.2019103957
9
BlockJ.WittH.CandelliA.PetermanE. J.WuiteG. J.JanshoffA.et al (2017). Nonlinear Loading-rate-dependent Force Response of Individual Vimentin Intermediate Filaments to Applied Strain. Phys. Rev. Lett.118 (4), 048101. 10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.048101
10
BonakdarN.SchillingA.SpörrerM.LennertP.MainkaA.WinterL.et al (2015). Determining the Mechanical Properties of Plectin in Mouse Myoblasts and Keratinocytes. Exp. Cel Res.331 (2), 331–337. 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.10.001
11
BornslaegerE. A.CorcoranC. M.StappenbeckT. S.GreenK. J. (1996). Breaking the Connection: Displacement of the Desmosomal Plaque Protein Desmoplakin from Cell-Cell Interfaces Disrupts anchorage of Intermediate Filament Bundles and Alters Intercellular junction Assembly. J. Cel Biol.134 (4), 985–1001. 10.1083/jcb.134.4.985
12
BouzidT.KimE.RiehlB. D.EsfahaniA. M.RosenbohmJ.YangR.et al (2019). The LINC Complex, Mechanotransduction, and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Function and Fate. J. Biol. Eng.13 (1), 68. 10.1186/s13036-019-0197-9
13
BrabletzS.SchuhwerkH.BrabletzT.StemmlerM. P. (2021). Dynamic EMT: a Multi-Tool for Tumor Progression. EMBO J.40 (18), e108647. 10.15252/embj.2021108647
14
BroederszC. P.MacKintoshF. C. (2014). Modeling Semiflexible Polymer Networks. Rev. Mod. Phys.86 (3), 995–1036. 10.1103/revmodphys.86.995
15
BroussardJ. A.JaiganeshA.ZarkoobH.ConwayD. E.DunnA. R.EspinosaH. D.et al (2020). Scaling up Single-Cell Mechanics to Multicellular Tissues - the Role of the Intermediate Filament-Desmosome Network. J. Cel Sci133 (6), 228031. 10.1242/jcs.228031
16
BuxboimA.SwiftJ.IriantoJ.SpinlerK. R.DingalP. C. D. P.AthirasalaA.et al (2014). Matrix Elasticity Regulates Lamin-A,C Phosphorylation and Turnover with Feedback to Actomyosin. Curr. Biol.24 (16), 1909–1917. 10.1016/j.cub.2014.07.001
17
ChangL.GoldmanR. D. (2004). Intermediate Filaments Mediate Cytoskeletal Crosstalk. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cel Biol5 (8), 601–613. 10.1038/nrm1438
18
CharrasG.YapA. S. (2018). Tensile Forces and Mechanotransduction at Cell-Cell Junctions. Curr. Biol.28 (8), R445–R457. 10.1016/j.cub.2018.02.003
19
ChaudhuriO.Cooper-WhiteJ.JanmeyP. A.MooneyD. J.ShenoyV. B. (2020). Effects of Extracellular Matrix Viscoelasticity on Cellular Behaviour. Nature584 (7822), 535–546. 10.1038/s41586-020-2612-2
20
ÇolakoğluG.BrownA. (2009). Intermediate Filaments Exchange Subunits along Their Length and Elongate by End-To-End Annealing. J. Cel Biol.185 (5), 769–777. 10.1083/jcb.200809166
21
ColburnZ. T.JonesJ. C. R. (2018). Complexes of α6β4 Integrin and Vimentin Act as Signaling Hubs to Regulate Epithelial Cell Migration. J. Cel Sci131 (14), jcs214593. 10.1242/jcs.214593
22
ColinA.SingaraveluP.ThéryM.BlanchoinL.GuerouiZ. (2018). Actin-Network Architecture Regulates Microtubule Dynamics. Curr. Biol.28 (16), 2647–2656. e2644. 10.1016/j.cub.2018.06.028
23
CostigliolaN.DingL.BurckhardtC. J.HanS. J.GutierrezE.MotaA.et al (2017). Vimentin Fibers orient Traction Stress. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.114 (20), 5195–5200. 10.1073/pnas.1614610114
24
DadayC.KolšekK.GräterF. (2017). The Mechano-Sensing Role of the Unique SH3 Insertion in Plakin Domains Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Sci. Rep.7 (1), 11669. 10.1038/s41598-017-11017-2
25
De PascalisC.Pérez-GonzálezC.SeetharamanS.BoëdaB.VianayB.BuruteM.et al (2018). Intermediate Filaments Control Collective Migration by Restricting Traction Forces and Sustaining Cell-Cell Contacts. J. Cel Biol.217 (9), 3031–3044. 10.1083/jcb.201801162
26
DingI.Ostrowska-PodhorodeckaZ.LeeW.LiuR. S. C.CarneiroK.JanmeyP. A.et al (2020). Cooperative Roles of PAK1 and Filamin A in Regulation of Vimentin Assembly and Cell Extension Formation. Biochim. Biophys. Acta (Bba) - Mol. Cel Res.1867 (9), 118739. 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118739
27
DogteromM.KoenderinkG. H. (2019). Actin-microtubule Crosstalk in Cell Biology. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cel Biol20 (1), 38–54. 10.1038/s41580-018-0067-1
28
DowlingJ.YuQ. C.FuchsE. (1996). Beta4 Integrin Is Required for Hemidesmosome Formation, Cell Adhesion and Cell Survival. J. Cel Biol.134 (2), 559–572. 10.1083/jcb.134.2.559
29
DuarteS.Viedma-PoyatosÁ.Navarro-CarrascoE.MartínezA. E.PajaresM. A.Pérez-SalaD. (2019). Vimentin Filaments Interact with the Actin Cortex in Mitosis Allowing normal Cell Division. Nat. Commun.10 (1), 4200. 10.1038/s41467-019-12029-4
30
Dutour-ProvenzanoG.Etienne-MannevilleS. (2021). Intermediate Filaments. Curr. Biol.31 (10), R522–r529. 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.011
31
EnglW.ArasiB.YapL. L.ThieryJ. P.ViasnoffV. (2014). Actin Dynamics Modulate Mechanosensitive Immobilization of E-Cadherin at Adherens Junctions. Nat. Cel Biol16 (6), 584–591. 10.1038/ncb2973
32
EsueO.CarsonA. A.TsengY.WirtzD. (2006). A Direct Interaction between Actin and Vimentin Filaments Mediated by the Tail Domain of Vimentin. J. Biol. Chem.281 (41), 30393–30399. 10.1074/jbc.m605452200
33
FeliksiakK.WitkoT.SolarzD.GuzikM.RajfurZ. (2020). Vimentin Association with Nuclear Grooves in Normal MEF 3T3 Cells. Int. J. Mol. Sci.21 (20), 7478. 10.3390/ijms21207478
34
FengD.DuMontierC.PollakM. R. (2018). Mechanical Challenges and Cytoskeletal Impairments in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. Am. J. Physiology-Renal Physiol.314 (5), F921–f925. 10.1152/ajprenal.00641.2017
35
FleissnerF.KumarS.KleinN.WirthD.DhimanR.SchneiderD.et al (2020). Tension Causes Unfolding of Intracellular Vimentin Intermediate Filaments. Adv. Biosyst.4 (11), e2000111. 10.1002/adbi.202000111
36
FolkerE. S.ÖstlundC.LuxtonG. W. G.WormanH. J.GundersenG. G. (2011). Lamin A Variants that Cause Striated Muscle Disease Are Defective in Anchoring Transmembrane Actin-Associated Nuclear Lines for Nuclear Movement. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.108 (1), 131–136. 10.1073/pnas.1000824108
37
ForstingJ.KraxnerJ.WittH.JanshoffA.KösterS. (2019). Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Undergo Irreversible Conformational Changes during Cyclic Loading. Nano Lett.19 (10), 7349–7356. 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b02972
38
GanZ.DingL.BurckhardtC. J.LoweryJ.ZaritskyA.SitterleyK.et al (2016). Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Template Microtubule Networks to Enhance Persistence in Cell Polarity and Directed Migration. Cel Syst.3 (5), 500–501. 10.1016/j.cels.2016.11.011
39
GardelM. L.ShinJ. H.MacKintoshF. C.MahadevanL.MatsudairaP.WeitzD. A. (2004). Elastic Behavior of Cross-Linked and Bundled Actin Networks. Science304 (5675), 1301–1305. 10.1126/science.1095087
40
GregorM.Osmanagic‐MyersS.BurgstallerG.WolframM.FischerI.WalkoG.et al (2014). Mechanosensing through Focal Adhesion‐anchored Intermediate Filaments. FASEB J.28 (2), 715–729. 10.1096/fj.13-231829
41
GudimchukN. B.McIntoshJ. R. (2021). Regulation of Microtubule Dynamics, Mechanics and Function through the Growing Tip. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cel Biol22 (12), 777–795. 10.1038/s41580-021-00399-x
42
GuoM.EhrlicherA. J.MahammadS.FabichH.JensenM. H.MooreJ. R.et al (2013). The Role of Vimentin Intermediate Filaments in Cortical and Cytoplasmic Mechanics. Biophysical J.105 (7), 1562–1568. 10.1016/j.bpj.2013.08.037
43
GuptaM.DossB. L.KocgozluL.PanM.MègeR. M.Callan-JonesA.et al (2019). Cell Shape and Substrate Stiffness Drive Actin-Based Cell Polarity. Phys. Rev. E99 (1-1), 012412. 10.1103/PhysRevE.99.012412
44
HainesR. L.LaneE. B. (2012). Keratins and Disease at a Glance. J. Cel Sci125 (Pt 17), 3923–3928. 10.1242/jcs.099655
45
HelfandB. T.MendezM. G.MurthyS. N. P.ShumakerD. K.GrinB.MahammadS.et al (2011). Vimentin Organization Modulates the Formation of Lamellipodia. Mol. Biol. Cel22 (8), 1274–1289. 10.1091/mbc.e10-08-0699
46
HuJ.LiY.HaoY.ZhengT.GuptaS. K.ParadaG. A.et al (2019). High Stretchability, Strength, and Toughness of Living Cells Enabled by Hyperelastic Vimentin Intermediate Filaments. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.116 (35), 17175–17180. 10.1073/pnas.1903890116
47
HuberF.BoireA.LópezM. P.KoenderinkG. H. (2015). Cytoskeletal Crosstalk: when Three Different Personalities Team up. Curr. Opin. Cel Biol.32, 39–47. 10.1016/j.ceb.2014.10.005
48
JanotaC. S.Calero-CuencaF. J.GomesE. R. (2020). The Role of the Cell Nucleus in Mechanotransduction. Curr. Opin. Cel Biol.63, 204–211. 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.03.001
49
JiuY.PeränenJ.SchaibleN.ChengF.ErikssonJ. E.KrishnanR.et al (2017). Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Control Actin Stress Fiber Assembly through GEF-H1 and RhoA. J. Cel Sci130 (5), 892–902. 10.1242/jcs.196881
50
JiuY.LehtimäkiJ.TojkanderS.ChengF.JäälinojaH.LiuX.et al (2015). Bidirectional Interplay between Vimentin Intermediate Filaments and Contractile Actin Stress Fibers. Cel Rep.11 (10), 1511–1518. 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.05.008
51
KechagiaJ. Z.IvaskaJ.Roca-CusachsP. (2019). Integrins as Biomechanical Sensors of the Microenvironment. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cel Biol20 (8), 457–473. 10.1038/s41580-019-0134-2
52
KimH.NakamuraF.LeeW.ShifrinY.AroraP.McCullochC. A. (2010). Filamin A Is Required for Vimentin-Mediated Cell Adhesion and Spreading. Am. J. Physiology-Cell Physiol.298 (2), C221–C236. 10.1152/ajpcell.00323.2009
53
KimJ.YangC.KimE. J.JangJ.KimS. J.KangS. M.et al (2016). Vimentin Filaments Regulate Integrin-Ligand Interactions by Binding to the Cytoplasmic Tail of Integrin β3. J. Cel Sci129 (10), 2030–2042. 10.1242/jcs.180315
54
KimY.-B.HlavatyD.MaycockJ.LechlerT. (2021). Roles for Ndel1 in Keratin Organization and Desmosome Function. Mol. Biol. Cel32 (20), ar2. 10.1091/mbc.e21-02-0087
55
KirbyT. J.LammerdingJ. (2018). Emerging Views of the Nucleus as a Cellular Mechanosensor. Nat. Cel Biol20 (4), 373–381. 10.1038/s41556-018-0038-y
56
KoC. S.TserunyanV.MartinA. C. (2019). Microtubules Promote Intercellular Contractile Force Transmission during Tissue Folding. J. Cel Biol.218 (8), 2726–2742. 10.1083/jcb.201902011
57
LalyA. C.SliogeryteK.PundelO. J.RossR.KeelingM. C.AvisettiD.et al (2021). The Keratin Network of Intermediate Filaments Regulates Keratinocyte Rigidity Sensing and Nuclear Mechanotransduction. Sci. Adv.7 (5), 1–12. 10.1126/sciadv.abd6187
58
LanierM. H.KimT.CooperJ. A. (2015). CARMIL2 Is a Novel Molecular Connection between Vimentin and Actin Essential for Cell Migration and Invadopodia Formation. Mol. Biol. Cel26 (25), 4577–4588. 10.1091/mbc.e15-08-0552
59
LatorreE.KaleS.CasaresL.Gómez-GonzálezM.UrozM.ValonL.et al (2018). Active Superelasticity in Three-Dimensional Epithelia of Controlled Shape. Nature563 (7730), 203–208. 10.1038/s41586-018-0671-4
60
LeducC.Etienne-MannevilleS. (2017). Regulation of Microtubule-Associated Motors Drives Intermediate Filament Network Polarization. J. Cel Biol216 (6), 1689–1703. 10.1083/jcb.201607045
61
LeeG.HanS.-B.KimD.-H. (2021a). Cell-ECM Contact-Guided Intracellular Polarization Is Mediated via Lamin A/C Dependent Nucleus-Cytoskeletal Connection. Biomaterials268, 120548. 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120548
62
LeeG.LeechG.RustM. J.DasM.McGortyR. J.RossJ. L.et al (2021b). Myosin-driven Actin-Microtubule Networks Exhibit Self-Organized Contractile Dynamics. Sci. Adv.7 (6), eabe4334. 10.1126/sciadv.abe4334
63
LeubeR. E.MochM.WindofferR. (2015). Intermediate Filaments and the Regulation of Focal Adhesion. Curr. Opin. Cel Biol.32, 13–20. 10.1016/j.ceb.2014.09.011
64
LiQ.-F.SpinelliA. M.WangR.AnfinogenovaY.SingerH. A.TangD. D. (2006). Critical Role of Vimentin Phosphorylation at Ser-56 by P21-Activated Kinase in Vimentin Cytoskeleton Signaling. J. Biol. Chem.281 (45), 34716–34724. 10.1074/jbc.m607715200
65
LinY.-C.KoenderinkG. H.MacKintoshF. C.WeitzD. A. (2011). Control of Non-linear Elasticity in F-Actin Networks with Microtubules. Soft Matter7 (3), 902–906. 10.1039/c0sm00478b
66
LomakinA. J.CattinC. J.CuvelierD.AlraiesZ.MolinaM.NaderG. P. F.et al (2020). The Nucleus Acts as a Ruler Tailoring Cell Responses to Spatial Constraints. Science370 (6514), eaba2894. 10.1126/science.aba2894
67
LombardiM. L.JaaloukD. E.ShanahanC. M.BurkeB.RouxK. J.LammerdingJ. (2011). The Interaction between Nesprins and Sun Proteins at the Nuclear Envelope Is Critical for Force Transmission between the Nucleus and Cytoskeleton. J. Biol. Chem.286 (30), 26743–26753. 10.1074/jbc.m111.233700
68
LópezM. P.HuberF.GrigorievI.SteinmetzM. O.AkhmanovaA.KoenderinkG. H.et al (2014). Actin-microtubule Coordination at Growing Microtubule Ends. Nat. Commun.5, 4778. 10.1038/ncomms5778
69
LoweryJ.KuczmarskiE. R.HerrmannH.GoldmanR. D. (2015). Intermediate Filaments Play a Pivotal Role in Regulating Cell Architecture and Function. J. Biol. Chem.290 (28), 17145–17153. 10.1074/jbc.r115.640359
70
MacTaggartB.KashinaA. (2021). Posttranslational Modifications of the Cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton78 (4), 142–173. 10.1002/cm.21679
71
ManiotisA. J.ChenC. S.IngberD. E. (1997). Demonstration of Mechanical Connections between Integrins, Cytoskeletal Filaments, and Nucleoplasm that Stabilize Nuclear Structure. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.94 (3), 849–854. 10.1073/pnas.94.3.849
72
MarksP. C.PetrieR. J. (2022). Push or Pull: How Cytoskeletal Crosstalk Facilitates Nuclear Movement through 3D Environments. Phys. Biol.19 (2). 10.1088/1478-3975/ac45e3
73
McNallyF. J. (1996). Modulation of Microtubule Dynamics during the Cell Cycle. Curr. Opin. Cel Biol.8 (1), 23–29. 10.1016/s0955-0674(96)80044-5
74
MendezM. G.RestleD.JanmeyP. A. (2014). Vimentin Enhances Cell Elastic Behavior and Protects against Compressive Stress. Biophysical J.107 (2), 314–323. 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.04.050
75
MochM.LeubeR. E. (2021). Hemidesmosome-Related Keratin Filament Bundling and Nucleation. Int. J. Mol. Sci.22 (4), 2130. 10.3390/ijms22042130
76
MoetonM.StassenO. M. J. A.SluijsJ. A.van der MeerV. W. N.KluiversL. J.van HoornH.et al (2016). GFAP Isoforms Control Intermediate Filament Network Dynamics, Cell Morphology, and Focal Adhesions. Cell. Mol. Life Sci.73 (21), 4101–4120. 10.1007/s00018-016-2239-5
77
MohammedF.TrieberC.OverduinM.ChidgeyM. (2020). Molecular Mechanism of Intermediate Filament Recognition by Plakin Proteins. Biochim. Biophys. Acta (Bba) - Mol. Cel Res.1867 (11), 118801. 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118801
78
NardoneG.Oliver-De La CruzJ.VrbskyJ.MartiniC.PribylJ.SkládalP.et al (2017). YAP Regulates Cell Mechanics by Controlling Focal Adhesion Assembly. Nat. Commun.8 (1), 15321. 10.1038/ncomms15321
79
NödingB.HerrmannH.KösterS. (2014). Direct Observation of Subunit Exchange along Mature Vimentin Intermediate Filaments. Biophysical J.107 (12), 2923–2931. 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.09.050
80
OhiR.StrothmanC.ZanicM. (2021). Impact of the 'tubulin Economy' on the Formation and Function of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton. Curr. Opin. Cel Biol.68, 81–89. 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.09.005
81
Osmanagic-MyersS.RusS.WolframM.BrunnerD.GoldmannW. H.BonakdarN.et al (2015). Plectin Reinforces Vascular Integrity by Mediating Crosstalk between the Vimentin and the Actin Networks. J. Cel Sci128 (22), 4138–4150. 10.1242/jcs.172056
82
Ostrowska-PodhorodeckaZ.DingI.LeeW.TanicJ.AbbasiS.AroraP. D.et al (2021). Vimentin Tunes Cell Migration on Collagen by Controlling β1 Integrin Activation and Clustering. J. Cel Sci134 (6), jcs254359. 10.1242/jcs.254359
83
PattesonA. E.VahabikashiA.PogodaK.AdamS. A.MandalK.KittisopikulM.et al (2019). Vimentin Protects Cells against Nuclear Rupture and DNA Damage during Migration. J. Cel Biol.218 (12), 4079–4092. 10.1083/jcb.201902046
84
PelletierV.GalN.FournierP.KilfoilM. L. (2009). Microrheology of Microtubule Solutions and Actin-Microtubule Composite Networks. Phys. Rev. Lett.102 (18), 188303. 10.1103/physrevlett.102.188303
85
PimmM. L.Henty-RidillaJ. L. (2021). New Twists in Actin-Microtubule Interactions. Mol. Biol. Cel32 (3), 211–217. 10.1091/mbc.e19-09-0491
86
PlastinoJ.BlanchoinL. (2018). Dynamic Stability of the Actin Ecosystem. J. Cel Sci132 (4), jcs219832. 10.1242/jcs.219832
87
PrechovaM.AdamovaZ.SchweizerA. L.ManinovaM.BauerA.KahD.et al (2022). Plectin-mediated Cytoskeletal Crosstalk Controls Cell Tension and Cohesion in Epithelial Sheets. J. Cel Biol221 (3), e202105146. 10.1083/jcb.202105146
88
PriceA. J.CostA.-L.UngewißH.WaschkeJ.DunnA. R.GrashoffC. (2018). Mechanical Loading of Desmosomes Depends on the Magnitude and Orientation of External Stress. Nat. Commun.9 (1), 5284. 10.1038/s41467-018-07523-0
89
RafiqN. B. M.NishimuraY.PlotnikovS. V.ThiagarajanV.ZhangZ.ShiS.et al (2019). A Mechano-Signalling Network Linking Microtubules, Myosin IIA Filaments and Integrin-Based Adhesions. Nat. Mater.18 (6), 638–649. 10.1038/s41563-019-0371-y
90
RamdasN. M.ShivashankarG. V. (2015). Cytoskeletal Control of Nuclear Morphology and Chromatin Organization. J. Mol. Biol.427 (3), 695–706. 10.1016/j.jmb.2014.09.008
91
RedmondC. J.CoulombeP. A. (2021). Intermediate Filaments as Effectors of Differentiation. Curr. Opin. Cel Biol.68, 155–162. 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.10.009
92
RobertA.RossowM. J.HookwayC.AdamS. A.GelfandV. I. (2015). Vimentin Filament Precursors Exchange Subunits in an ATP-dependent Manner. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A.112 (27), E3505–E3514. 10.1073/pnas.1505303112
93
RobertsB. J.PashajA.JohnsonK. R.WahlJ. K. (2011). Desmosome Dynamics in Migrating Epithelial Cells Requires the Actin Cytoskeleton. Exp. Cel Res.317 (20), 2814–2822. 10.1016/j.yexcr.2011.09.003
94
RouxK. J.CrispM. L.LiuQ.KimD.KozlovS.StewartC. L.et al (2009). Nesprin 4 Is an Outer Nuclear Membrane Protein that Can Induce Kinesin-Mediated Cell Polarization. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.106 (7), 2194–2199. 10.1073/pnas.0808602106
95
RübsamM.BroussardJ. A.WickströmS. A.NekrasovaO.GreenK. J.NiessenC. M. (2018). Adherens Junctions and Desmosomes Coordinate Mechanics and Signaling to Orchestrate Tissue Morphogenesis and Function: An Evolutionary Perspective. Cold Spring Harb Perspect. Biol.10 (11), a029207. 10.1101/cshperspect.a029207
96
Sanghvi-ShahR.WeberG. F. (2017). Intermediate Filaments at the Junction of Mechanotransduction, Migration, and Development. Front. Cel Dev. Biol.5, 1–19. 10.3389/fcell.2017.00081
97
SchaedelL.LorenzC.SchepersA. V.KlumppS.KösterS. (2021). Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Stabilize Dynamic Microtubules by Direct Interactions. Nat. Commun.12 (1), 3799. 10.1038/s41467-021-23523-z
98
SchoumacherM.GoldmanR. D.LouvardD.VignjevicD. M. (2010). Actin, Microtubules, and Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Cooperate for Elongation of Invadopodia. J. Cel Biol.189 (3), 541–556. 10.1083/jcb.200909113
99
SeddikiR.NarayanaG. H. N. S.StraleP.-O.BalciogluH. E.PeyretG.YaoM.et al (2018). Force-dependent Binding of Vinculin to α-catenin Regulates Cell-Cell Contact Stability and Collective Cell Behavior. Mol. Biol. Cel29 (4), 380–388. 10.1091/mbc.e17-04-0231
100
SeetharamanS.VianayB.RocaV.FarrugiaA. J.De PascalisC.BoëdaB.et al (2021). Microtubules Tune Mechanosensitive Cell Responses. Nat. Mater.21, 366–377. 10.1038/s41563-021-01108-x
101
SerresM. P.SamwerM.Truong QuangB. A.LavoieG.PereraU.GörlichD.et al (2020). F-actin Interactome Reveals Vimentin as a Key Regulator of Actin Organization and Cell Mechanics in Mitosis. Dev. Cel52 (2), 210–222. e217. 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.12.011
102
SjöqvistM.AntfolkD.Suarez-RodriguezF.SahlgrenC. (2021). From Structural Resilience to Cell Specification - Intermediate Filaments as Regulators of Cell Fate. Faseb J.35 (1), e21182. 10.1096/fj.202001627r
103
SunZ.GuoS. S.FässlerR. (2016). Integrin-mediated Mechanotransduction. J. Cel Biol.215 (4), 445–456. 10.1083/jcb.201609037
104
SvitkinaT. M.VerkhovskyA. B.BorisyG. G. (1996). Plectin Sidearms Mediate Interaction of Intermediate Filaments with Microtubules and Other Components of the Cytoskeleton. J. Cel Biol.135 (4), 991–1007. 10.1083/jcb.135.4.991
105
TakedaM.SamiM. M.WangY.-C. (2018). A Homeostatic Apical Microtubule Network Shortens Cells for Epithelial Folding via a Basal Polarity Shift. Nat. Cel Biol20 (1), 36–45. 10.1038/s41556-017-0001-3
106
TariqZ.ZhangH.Chia-LiuA.ShenY.GeteY.XiongZ.-M.et al (2017). Lamin A and Microtubules Collaborate to Maintain Nuclear Morphology. Nucleus8 (4), 433–446. 10.1080/19491034.2017.1320460
107
TerriacE.CoceanoG.MavajianZ.HagemanT. A.ChristA. F.TestaI.et al (2017). Vimentin Levels and Serine 71 Phosphorylation in the Control of Cell-Matrix Adhesions, Migration Speed, and Shape of Transformed Human Fibroblasts. Cells6 (1), 2. 10.3390/cells6010002
108
TheriotJ. A.MitchisonT. J. (1991). Actin Microfilament Dynamics in Locomoting Cells. Nature352 (6331), 126–131. 10.1038/352126a0
109
ValenciaR. G.WalkoG.JandaL.NovacekJ.MihailovskaE.ReipertS.et al (2013). Intermediate Filament-Associated Cytolinker Plectin 1c Destabilizes Microtubules in Keratinocytes. Mol. Biol. Cel24 (6), 768–784. 10.1091/mbc.e12-06-0488
110
van BodegravenE. J.Etienne-MannevilleS. (2020). Intermediate Filaments against Actomyosin: the David and Goliath of Cell Migration. Curr. Opin. Cel Biol.66, 79–88. 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.05.006
111
VenturiniV.PezzanoF.Català CastroF.HäkkinenH.-M.Jiménez-DelgadoS.Colomer-RosellM.et al (2020). The Nucleus Measures Shape Changes for Cellular Proprioception to Control Dynamic Cell Behavior. Science370 (6514), eaba2644. 10.1126/science.aba2644
112
VohnoutkaR. B.GulvadyA. C.GorecznyG.AlphaK.HandelmanS. K.SextonJ. Z.et al (2019). The Focal Adhesion Scaffold Protein Hic-5 Regulates Vimentin Organization in Fibroblasts. Mol. Biol. Cel30 (25), 3037–3056. 10.1091/mbc.e19-08-0442
113
WangW.ZuidemaA.te MolderL.NahidiazarL.HoekmanL.SchmidtT.et al (2020). Hemidesmosomes Modulate Force Generation via Focal Adhesions. J. Cel Biol219 (2), e201904137. 10.1083/jcb.201904137
114
WarrenD. T.ZhangQ.WeissbergP. L.ShanahanC. M. (2005). Nesprins: Intracellular Scaffolds that Maintain Cell Architecture and Coordinate Cell Function?Expert Rev. Mol. Med.7 (11), 1–15. 10.1017/s1462399405009294
115
WicheG.Osmanagic-MyersS.CastañónM. J. (2015). Networking and Anchoring through Plectin: a Key to IF Functionality and Mechanotransduction. Curr. Opin. Cel Biol.32, 21–29. 10.1016/j.ceb.2014.10.002
116
WilhelmsenK.LitjensS. H. M.KuikmanI.TshimbalangaN.JanssenH.van den BoutI.et al (2005). Nesprin-3, a Novel Outer Nuclear Membrane Protein, Associates with the Cytoskeletal Linker Protein Plectin. J. Cel Biol171 (5), 799–810. 10.1083/jcb.200506083
117
WindofferR.KölschA.WöllS.LeubeR. E. (2006). Focal Adhesions Are Hotspots for Keratin Filament Precursor Formation. J. Cel Biol.173 (3), 341–348. 10.1083/jcb.200511124
118
YaoM.QiuW.LiuR.EfremovA. K.CongP.SeddikiR.et al (2014). Force-dependent Conformational Switch of α-catenin Controls Vinculin Binding. Nat. Commun.5 (1), 4525. 10.1038/ncomms5525
119
YapA. S.DuszycK.ViasnoffV. (2018). Mechanosensing and Mechanotransduction at Cell-Cell Junctions. Cold Spring Harb Perspect. Biol.10 (8), 1–16. 10.1101/cshperspect.a028761
120
ZhenY. Y.LibotteT.MunckM.NoegelA. A.KorenbaumE. (2002). NUANCE, a Giant Protein Connecting the Nucleus and Actin Cytoskeleton. J. Cel Sci115 (Pt 15), 3207–3222. 10.1242/jcs.115.15.3207
121
ZuidemaA.WangW.SonnenbergA. (2020). Crosstalk between Cell Adhesion Complexes in Regulation of MechanotransductionBioEssays: News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. Bioessays42 (11), e2000119. 10.1002/bies.202000119
Summary
Keywords
mechanobiology, migration, cytoskeleton, vimentin, keratin, actin, microtubules
Citation
Ndiaye A-B, Koenderink GH and Shemesh M (2022) Intermediate Filaments in Cellular Mechanoresponsiveness: Mediating Cytoskeletal Crosstalk From Membrane to Nucleus and Back. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 10:882037. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.882037
Received
23 February 2022
Accepted
24 March 2022
Published
11 April 2022
Volume
10 - 2022
Edited by
Ming Guo, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States
Reviewed by
Haiqian Yang, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States
Satish Kumar Gupta, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States
Updates

Check for updates
Copyright
© 2022 Ndiaye, Koenderink and Shemesh.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Michal Shemesh, m.shemesh@tudelft.nl; Gijsje H. Koenderink, g.h.koenderink@tudelft.nl
†These authors have contributed equally to this work
This article was submitted to Cell Growth and Division, a section of the journal Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Disclaimer
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.