From biting to engulfment: Target mechanics determines modes of phagocytosis through curvature--actin coupling
Shubhadeep Sadhukhan, Caitlin E. Cornell, Mansehaj Kaur Sandhu, Marta Batet Palau, Youri Peeters, Stijn Hanssen, Samo Penič, Aleš Iglič, Daan Vorselen, Daniel A. Fletcher, Valentin Jaumouillé, Verena Ruprecht, Nir S. Gov
This paper develops a theoretical model to simulate phagocytosis of deformable targets and identifies three mechanical regimes based on target stiffness, validated experimentally with GUVs and lymphoma cells.
bioRxiv · Jul 12, 2026 · PreprintBiophysics