Tissue rigidity mechano-priming microglia cytoskeleton-nucleus interplays with biochemical signals to amplify neuroinflammatory responses
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ABSTRACT: Microglia play a pivotal role in modulating the pathophysiology of the central nervous system, including disease progression and injury repair. While the microenvironmental factors governing microglial activation are well understood, the impact of biophysical cues, such as tissue mechanics, remains largely unexplored. Here we examine the role of matrix rigidity in priming microglial activation, elucidating its interaction with biochemical signals to amplify neuroinflammatory responses. Microglial cells mechanosensed the matrix rigidity by inducing progressive actin cytoskeleton development, morphological changes, and nuclear deformation. Notably, increased chromatin accessibility via histone acetylation was observed for genes associated with inflammation and mechanotransduction, suggesting a nuclear mechano-priming for microglial activation. The interplay between matrix rigidity and biochemical signals was facilitated through NF-κB signaling and cytoskeleton-mediated MRTF-A nuclear translocation. These findings were corroborated by analysis of brain tumor samples from patients, revealing strong correlations between tissue rigidity, microglial neuroinflammatory activation, and histone acetylation. This study underscores the critical role of tissue rigidity in driving microglial neuroinflammatory responses through cytoskeletal-to-nuclear mechanotransduction, emphasizing the importance of understanding and manipulating tissue mechanics in regulating microglia-associated neuroinflammation.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE287382 | GEO | 2026/09/06
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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