Scientists at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad have unlocked a key mystery in how white blood cells chase and attack pathogens. This breakthrough, published in a top journal on September 17, 2025, shows how a protein called SPIN90 helps cells change shape fast to fight infections.
The Groundbreaking Discovery
Researchers at CCMB, part of India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, focused on white blood cells, which are vital for the immune system. These cells must move quickly to trap bacteria or viruses. The team found that the actin cytoskeleton, a network of filaments inside cells, allows this rapid movement.
For years, experts knew actin helps cells reshape, but the exact process stayed unclear. The new study reveals SPIN90 teams up with another complex called Arp2/3 to build new actin structures. This happens in microseconds, letting cells form sheet-like extensions to pursue threats.
The work builds on global research into cell movement, tying into recent findings on immune responses in diseases like COVID-19. In 2025, with rising concerns over infections and cancer, this discovery comes at a crucial time.
How SPIN90 Drives Cell Attack
SPIN90 acts as a dimer, meaning two units link up. It works with Arp2/3 to start growing actin filaments in two directions, always at a 150-degree angle. This creates a branched network that pushes the cell membrane outward.
Picture a white blood cell spotting a pathogen. It needs to swim toward it. The SPIN90-Arp2/3 duo builds scaffolds for new protrusions, enabling the chase. Without this, cells could not respond fast enough to infections.
This mechanism explains why some immune disorders happen when actin networks fail. Recent studies from places like Johns Hopkins link similar processes to how viruses reprogram white blood cells, weakening defenses.
Experts say this finding matches patterns seen in cancer cells, which also use actin to spread. In 2025, with cancer rates climbing globally, understanding these basics could lead to better treatments.
Here are key steps in the process:
- SPIN90 binds to Arp2/3 as a dimer.
- It triggers filament growth in two directions.
- New branches form a mesh that reshapes the cell.
- This allows quick movement toward pathogens.
Impacts on Health and Disease
This research opens doors for treating immune issues. For example, in wound healing, cells must migrate fast. Faulty SPIN90 could slow this, leading to chronic wounds.
In cancer, cells hijack similar mechanisms to invade tissues. The CCMB team notes their work might help design drugs that block bad cell movement while boosting good ones.
Global health data from 2025 shows over 10 million new cancer cases yearly, many linked to faulty cell migration. Immune disorders affect millions more. This discovery could inspire therapies that target SPIN90 to strengthen immunity.
It also ties into regenerative medicine. A related CCMB study this year found cells can revive from near death, aiding tissue repair. Combining these insights might speed up healing for injuries or surgeries.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Protein Involved | SPIN90 (dimer form) |
| Partner Complex | Arp2/3 |
| Key Angle | 150 degrees for filament growth |
| Main Benefit | Rapid cell shape change for pathogen attack |
| Potential Applications | Cancer treatment, immune disorder therapies, wound healing |
Voices from the Research Team
Lead scientist Dr. Saikat Chowdhury called the findings a game changer. He explained how seeing SPIN90 at atomic level revealed its precise role in actin formation.
First author Justus Francis, a PhD student, highlighted the study’s focus on mammalian cells. This means the mechanism applies to humans, making it directly useful for medicine.
Other experts praise the work. It aligns with 2025 research on basophils, rare white blood cells that boost cancer-fighting immunity in mice. Such connections suggest broader uses in immunotherapy.
The team used advanced imaging to capture these details, building on decades of cell biology studies.
What Comes Next
Future work will test SPIN90 in living models. Researchers aim to see if tweaking it can fight diseases like autoimmune conditions or infections.
With India’s biotech sector growing, CCMB’s findings could lead to homegrown treatments. Global collaborations might speed this up, especially amid ongoing health challenges.
This year alone, breakthroughs in cell revival and bacterial mechanisms from CCMB show Hyderabad as a hub for life sciences.
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