Mechanobiology of immune cell adhesion and migration under mechanical stimuli

Prof. Mian Long, PhD

Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 and School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. ^*mlong@imech.ac.cn

Immune cell adhesion and migration are crucial in inflammatory cascade. Lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) and macrophage-1 antigen (or macrophage integrin; Mac-1) mediate polymorphonuclear neutrophils (or polymorphonuclear leukocytes; PMN) recruitment by binding to their ligands. Slow rolling and firm adhesion of PMN strongly rely on LFA-1 while the cell crawling is dependent on Mac-1. Their distinct functions are governed by their binding kinetics and mechanical strength when this cascade takes place under in vivo mechanical cues of blood flow and/or vessel stiffening. In this talk, I will discuss the receptor-ligand binding and cell adhesion/migration dynamics via multiple approaches of mechanical tests, numerical simulations and biological measurements

Short Bio for Dr. Mian LONG

Dr. Long is a full professor at Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the director of Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering and of Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology. He received his B.S. degree (Mechanical Engineering) in 1984 and Ph.D. degree (Biomechanics) in 1990. He was appointed as a lecturer in 1990, an associate professor in 1992 and a full professor in 1995 at Chongqing University, and moved to the Institute of Mechanics of CAS in 2000. Dr. Long’s research interest focuses on molecular biomechanics, cellular mechanobiology, and engineered tissue reconstruction related to immune responses and mechanosensation in space. He has published > 160 peer-reviewed papers with 11 warranted patents. He is a fellow of American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering and of International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering.