Biophysical properties of vimentin intermediate filaments network unveiled by superresolution microscopy

DE ROSSI MC; SMOLER M; PENNACCHIETTI F; BRUNO L; TESTA I; LEVI V

Congreso; L Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Biofísica; 2022

The cytoskeleton is a complex and dynamic network formed by crosslinked biopolymers (i.e. microtubules, actin-F and intermediate filaments (IFs)) that distribute in a cell-type specific pattern related to the biological processes in which they are involved. Particularly, vimentin IFs are organized in two different configurations according to their function: they can form an intricate cage-like structure that surrounds and protects the nucleus, or they can spread throughout the cytoplasm performing other functions not fully disclosed. In this work, we explored relevant biophysical properties of these two populations of vimentin filaments within living cells. Using a novel super-resolution microscopy, we registered time-lapse images of whole cells with high spatial resolution ( ̴ 50 nm). Individual filaments located at both cellular regions were tracked to recover information on their flexibility and dynamics. The results showed that the peripheral filaments have a higher bending stiffness and less mobility compared to those located around the nucleus. These observations are compatible with a model that considers a differential interaction and mechanical coupling of the vimentin peripheral network with the other filaments that constitute the cellular cytoskeleton.