Actin Cytoskeleton and Related Proteins Role During Immune Cells Migration, Polarity and Activation: An Overview

Abstract

Immune cells migration, polarity and activation are essential during host immune response. Upon recognition of specific peptides presented by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules on Antigen Presenting Cells (APC), lymphocytes execute subset-related functions such as killing, help and regulation. These cells travel through the organism in a succession of steps, including entry into tissues, interstitial migration, APC scanning, synapse formation and tissue exit. Such ability is possible because of a plastic motility behavior, which is highly controlled in time and space. The scope of this review is to discuss recent data pointing to the key role of regulators of actin cytoskeleton remodeling in tuning migration, polarity and activation of immune cells during host immune response. We believe that the more complete understanding of actin and related proteins recruitment during these processes the better to obtain novel targets for establishing strategies to control immune responses.