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Abstract Intermediate filaments (IFs) formed by vimentin are less understood than their cytoskeletal partners, microtubules and F‐actin, but the unique physical properties of IFs, especially their resistance to large deformations, initially suggest a mechanical function. Indeed, vimentin IFs help regulate cell mechanics and contractility, and in crowded 3D environments they protect the nucleus during cell migration. Recently, a multitude of studies, often using genetic or proteomic screenings show that vimentin has many non‐mechanical functions within and outside of cells. These include signaling roles in wound healing, lipogenesis, sterol processing, and various functions related to extracellular and cell surface vimentin. Extracellular vimentin is implicated in marking circulating tumor cells, promoting neural repair, and mediating the invasion of host cells by viruses, including SARS‐CoV, or bacteria such asListeriaandStreptococcus. These findings underscore the fundamental role of vimentin in not only cell mechanics but also a range of physiological functions. Also see the video abstract herehttps://youtu.be/YPfoddqvz-g.
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This content will become publicly available on November 20, 2025
Scale-dependent interactions enable emergent microrheological stress response of actin–vimentin composites
The unique mechanical behaviors of actin–vimentin composites in both linear and nonlinear regimes are shaped by the complex interactions among actin entanglements, vimentin crosslinking, and poroelastic properties.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2238600
- PAR ID:
- 10568942
- Publisher / Repository:
- Soft Matter
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Soft Matter
- Volume:
- 20
- Issue:
- 45
- ISSN:
- 1744-683X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 9007 to 9021
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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