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Rho-Associated Kinase Regulates {Langerhans Cell Morphology and Responsiveness to Tissue Damage

TitleRho-Associated Kinase Regulates {Langerhans Cell Morphology and Responsiveness to Tissue Damage
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsPeterman E, Quitevis EJA, Goo CEA, Rasmussen JP
JournalCell Reports
Volume43
Pagination114208
ISSN2211-1247
Abstract

Skin damage requires efficient immune cell responses to restore organ function. Epidermal-resident immune cells known as Langerhans cells use dendritic protrusions to surveil the skin microenvironment, which contains keratinocytes and peripheral axons. The mechanisms governing Langerhans cell dendrite dynamics and responses to tissue damage are poorly understood. Using skin explants from adult zebrafish, we show that Langerhans cells maintain normal surveillance following axonal degeneration and use their dendrites to engulf small axonal debris. By contrast, a ramified-to-rounded shape transition accommodates the engulfment of larger keratinocyte debris. We find that Langerhans cell dendrites are populated with actin and sensitive to a broad-spectrum actin inhibitor. We show that Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibition leads to elongated dendrites, perturbed clearance of large debris, and reduced Langerhans cell migration to epidermal wounds. Our work describes the dynamics of Langerhans cells and involvement of the ROCK pathway in immune cell responses.

DOI10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114208
Fields of interest: