Nuclear mechanobiology rules immune cells’ functions: from differentiation to cell trafficking and pathogen killing

2026/01/06 by Jörg Renkawitz, Allen Yesin, Janina Kroll +3 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Cell Adhesion Molecules Research #Cellular Mechanics and Interactions #Nuclear Structure and Function

paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/19491034.2025.2590843

openalex publication_date 2026/01/06 · openalex created_date 2026/01/08 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/01

Abstract

The immune system functions within tissue microenvironments of mechanical and geometrical constraints. Within these constraints, immune cells must rapidly move and execute effector functions to regulate innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we review the impact of nuclear mechanobiology on immune cell functionality. We define how non-genetic physical properties of the nucleus such as shape, stiffness and deformability are regulated and directly impact immune cell functions ranging from trafficking routes to pathogen killing. We highlight that studying immune cells allowed breakthroughs in understanding how the nucleus acts as a sensor for spatial constraints, as a break or enabler for cell migration, and as an extracellular trap to kill pathogens. Further, we discuss the unknowns of nuclear mechanobiology and consider the impact of chromatin, condensates, and nuclear membrane components. Together, this review provides an overarching framework of the cellular, physical, and immunological principles of nuclear mechanobiology in immune cells.

Citations

• Preformed portals facilitate dendritic cell entry into afferent lymphatic vessels
• Histone hypercitrullination mediates chromatin decondensation and neutrophil extracellular trap formation
• Mammalian lipids: structure, synthesis and function
• Chromatin compaction during confined cell migration induces and reshapes nuclear condensates
• Neutrophils secrete exosome-associated DNA to resolve sterile acute inflammation
• Navigating in tissue mazes: chemoattractant interpretation in complex environments
• CXCR1 and CXCR2 Chemokine Receptor Agonists Produced by Tumors Induce Neutrophil Extracellular Traps that Interfere with Immune Cytotoxicity

Cited by

• Mechanobiology of inflammation: Pulling the strings of innate immunity

Discussions

• Excited to share our latest #review on how the mechanobiology of the nucleus impacts immune cell function, including #NETosis, #migration, and #differentiation. doi.org/10.1080/1949... This was a f [bsky, 7 points, 0 comments]

Related

• Nuclear morphology and chromatin compaction modulate T cell cytoskeletal remodeling and immune synapse formation
• Mechanical Heterogeneity and the Nuclear Mechanome: Towards an Omics-Level Understanding of Nuclear Function
• Physicochemical mechanotransduction alters nuclear shape and mechanics via heterochromatin formation
• Nuclear plasticity regulates macrophage phagocytic capacity in vivo
• Biophysical regulation of macrophages in health and disease