B cells are activated via a nanoporous interface that stabilizes microvilli and engages mechanosensitive ion channels

Aghaizu, Nozie D.; Weber, Willi; Strempel, Nadine; Polat, Asya; Klotzsch, Enrico

B cells are activated via a nanoporous interface that stabilizes microvilli and engages mechanosensitive ion channels

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Item Type:	Article
Title:	B cells are activated via a nanoporous interface that stabilizes microvilli and engages mechanosensitive ion channels
Creators:	Aghaizu, Nozie D. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6096-1853, Weber, Willi, Strempel, Nadine, Polat, Asya and Klotzsch, Enrico
Abstract:	B cell activation typically involves binding of presented antigen by the B cell receptor. Ensuing intracellular signaling with Ca(2+) mobilization, cytoskeletal remodeling, and transcriptional changes culminates in an appropriate B cell response. Recently, our group developed an antigen receptor-independent, purely mechanobiological activation platform for T cells. Nanotopological stimulation by exposure to a porous membrane, resulted in robust T cell activation. Whether and how B cells are activated by this substrate on a mechanistic level is presently unknown. Here we report that nanoporous stimulation indeed results in B cell activation, where B cells extended nanopore penetrating microvilli and exhibited activation hallmarks including intracellular Ca(2+) spikes, phosphorylation of signaling components, and cell surface expression of the activation marker cluster of differentiation (CD) 69, thus recapitulating T cell behavior. This is at least partially mediated by mechanosensitive cation channels, as determined by pharmacology. In summary, our findings demonstrate that B cells are amenable to antigen receptor-independent activation via nanopores, expanding our knowledge on B cell activation mechanisms.
Keywords:	B Cell, Biology, Cell Biology, Intracellular, Ion Channel, Mechanosensitive Channels, Nanomaterials, Pharmacology
Source:	Advanced Science
ISSN:	2198-3844
Publisher:	Wiley
Page Range:	e76869
Date:	3 August 2026
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.76869
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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