No abstract

Single Plane Illumination Microscopy (SPIM) revolutionized time lapse imaging of live cells and organisms due to its high speed and reduced photodamage. Quantitative mapping of molecular (co)­mobility by fluorescence (cross-)correlation spectroscopy (F­(C)­CS) in a SPIM has been introduced to reveal molecular diffusion and binding. A complementary aspect of interactions is proximity, which can be studied by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Here, we extend SPIM-FCCS by alternating laser excitation, which reduces false positive cross-correlation and facilitates comapping of FRET. Thus, different aspects of interacting systems can be studied simultaneously, and molecular subpopulations can be discriminated by multiparameter analysis. After demonstrating the benefits of the method on the AP-1 transcription factor, the dimerization and DNA binding behavior of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) is revealed, and an extension of the molecular switch model of the nuclear receptor action is proposed. Our data imply that RAR agonist enhances RAR–RXR heterodimerization, and chromatin binding/dimerization are positively correlated. We also propose a ligand induced conformational change bringing the N-termini of RAR and RXR closer together. The RXR agonist increased homodimerization of RXR suggesting that RXR may act as an autonomous transcription factor.

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ABSTRACTThe leukocyte specific β2-integrin LFA-1, and its ligand ICAM-1 expressed on endothelial cells (ECs), are involved in the arrest, adhesion and transendothelial migration of leukocytes. Although the role of mechanical forces on LFA-1 activation is well established, the impact of forces on its major ligand ICAM-1, has received less attention. Using a parallel-plate flow chamber combined with confocal and super-resolution microscopy, we show that prolonged shear-flow induces a global translocation of ICAM-1 on ECs upstream of flow direction. Interestingly, shear-forces promoted ICAM-1 nanoclustering prior to LFA-1 engagement. This spatial nanoscale organization was driven by actin cytoskeleton re-arrangements induced by shear-force. We further assessed the impact of prolonged shear-stress EC stimulation on T cell migration. T cells adhered to mechanically pre-stimulated ECs developed a more pro-migratory phenotype, migrated faster and exhibited shorter EC interactions than when adhered to non-mechanically stimulated ECs. Together, our results indicate that shear-forces increase the number of ICAM-1/LFA-1 bonds due to ICAM-1 nanoclustering, strengthening adhesion and thereby reducing actin retrograde flow of T-cells, leading to their increased migration speed. Our data also underscores the importance of mechanical forces regulating the spatial organization of cell membrane receptors and their contribution to adhesion regulation, regardless of integrin activation.Summary statementWe show that shear forces promote ICAM-1 spatial re-arrangement and actin-dependent nanoclustering on ECs prior to integrin engagement. This mechanism might be important for firm leukocyte adhesion and migration during the immune response.