Dynamic reorganisation of intermediate filaments coordinates early B-cell activation

Abstract

During B-cell activation, the dynamic reorganisation of the cytoskeleton is crucial for multiple cellular responses, such as receptor signalling, cell spreading, antigen internalisation, intracellular trafficking, and antigen presentation. However, the role of intermediate filaments (IFs), which represent a major component of the mammalian cytoskeleton, is not well defined. Here, by using multiple super-resolution microscopy techniques, including direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, we show that IFs in B cells undergo drastic reorganisation immediately upon antigen stimulation and that this reorganisation requires actin and microtubules. Although the loss of vimentin in B cells did not impair B-cell development, receptor signalling, and differentiation, vimentin-deficient B cells exhibit altered positioning of antigen-containing and lysosomal associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1+) compartments, implying that vimentin may play a role in the fine-tuning of intracellular trafficking. Indeed, vimentin-deficient B cells exhibit impaired antigen presentation and delayed antibody responses in vivo. Thus, our study presents a new perspective on the role of IFs in B-cell activation.