Sophie Acton
@actonlab.bsky.social
Professor of Immunology /Cancer Research UK Senior Fellow @MRC_LMCB @UCL | Lymphoid tissue biology #immunity #cancer | #SciArt | @CRUKresearch
Pinned
Sophie Acton
@actonlab.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Our latest preprint! - led by @makris1.bsky.social
we find that Podoplanin expression in lymphoid tissue fibroblasts regulated their inflammatory signalling and crosstalk with immune cell populations
doi.org/10.1101/2022...
we find that Podoplanin expression in lymphoid tissue fibroblasts regulated their inflammatory signalling and crosstalk with immune cell populations
doi.org/10.1101/2022...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Laurence Wilson and Martin Bees use high-speed 3D holographic imaging to capture the flagellar beat of single algal cells, revealing changes in the ‘handedness’ of the flagellar shapes at different points in their cycle.
#JCSciliaSI
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
#JCSciliaSI
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
November 6, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Laurence Wilson and Martin Bees use high-speed 3D holographic imaging to capture the flagellar beat of single algal cells, revealing changes in the ‘handedness’ of the flagellar shapes at different points in their cycle.
#JCSciliaSI
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
#JCSciliaSI
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Tongxiang Chen, Anthi Psoma, Geert van den Bogaart, Harry Warner @rug.nl @novo-nordisk.bsky.social & team discover that phosphorylation of VAMP3 couples IL-6 exocytosis to dendritic cell activation.
Highlight: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Article: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Highlight: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Article: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
October 23, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Tongxiang Chen, Anthi Psoma, Geert van den Bogaart, Harry Warner @rug.nl @novo-nordisk.bsky.social & team discover that phosphorylation of VAMP3 couples IL-6 exocytosis to dendritic cell activation.
Highlight: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Article: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Highlight: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Article: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
📢 Short talk abstract/scholarship submission ends tomorrow! #KSStromal26
Don't miss out on the biggest #stromal #immunology conference happening in 2026.
Register now: keysym.us/KSStromal26
Don't miss out on the biggest #stromal #immunology conference happening in 2026.
Register now: keysym.us/KSStromal26
Stromal Immunology in Health and Disease | Keystone Symposia
Join us at the Keystone Symposia on Stromal Immunology in Health and Disease, February 2026, in Banff, with field leaders!
keysym.us
October 22, 2025 at 5:52 AM
📢 Short talk abstract/scholarship submission ends tomorrow! #KSStromal26
Don't miss out on the biggest #stromal #immunology conference happening in 2026.
Register now: keysym.us/KSStromal26
Don't miss out on the biggest #stromal #immunology conference happening in 2026.
Register now: keysym.us/KSStromal26
We hiring! Please share this post with your talented ECRs
We're looking for a postdoc interested in the formation and function of tertiary lymphoid structures - project funded by Wellcome
Based at @lmcb-ucl.bsky.social at University College London
Apply here:
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPD418/r...
We're looking for a postdoc interested in the formation and function of tertiary lymphoid structures - project funded by Wellcome
Based at @lmcb-ucl.bsky.social at University College London
Apply here:
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPD418/r...
October 21, 2025 at 3:57 PM
We hiring! Please share this post with your talented ECRs
We're looking for a postdoc interested in the formation and function of tertiary lymphoid structures - project funded by Wellcome
Based at @lmcb-ucl.bsky.social at University College London
Apply here:
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPD418/r...
We're looking for a postdoc interested in the formation and function of tertiary lymphoid structures - project funded by Wellcome
Based at @lmcb-ucl.bsky.social at University College London
Apply here:
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPD418/r...
Lovely trip to @institutcurie.bsky.social this week for student viva.
Paris in the sunshine ☀️
Paris in the sunshine ☀️
October 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Lovely trip to @institutcurie.bsky.social this week for student viva.
Paris in the sunshine ☀️
Paris in the sunshine ☀️
We found that the FRC network in lymph nodes requires protrusions to follow ECM scaffolds and to link neighbouring fibroblasts.
FRC use MARCKS to generate protrusions, and that PKN2 is the key kinase for these stroma
Updated preprint below
First round of revisions done
doi.org/10.21203/rs....
FRC use MARCKS to generate protrusions, and that PKN2 is the key kinase for these stroma
Updated preprint below
First round of revisions done
doi.org/10.21203/rs....
PKN2 signalling induces stromal cell protrusions to preserve lymph node structural integrity
Secondary lymphoid tissues develop specialized reticular networks to facilitate immune cell communication and efficient activation of adaptive immunity. This stromal network architecture is robust, ma...
doi.org
October 1, 2025 at 7:06 AM
We found that the FRC network in lymph nodes requires protrusions to follow ECM scaffolds and to link neighbouring fibroblasts.
FRC use MARCKS to generate protrusions, and that PKN2 is the key kinase for these stroma
Updated preprint below
First round of revisions done
doi.org/10.21203/rs....
FRC use MARCKS to generate protrusions, and that PKN2 is the key kinase for these stroma
Updated preprint below
First round of revisions done
doi.org/10.21203/rs....
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Dr. Sophie Acton (@actonlab.bsky.social/UCL)
is a Cancer Research UK Senior Fellow with an interest in lymphoid tissue biology.
At #KSStromal26, she'll be sharing her insights on podoplanin - a molecule that controls DC motility within the lymph node.
Register now! Link in bio.
is a Cancer Research UK Senior Fellow with an interest in lymphoid tissue biology.
At #KSStromal26, she'll be sharing her insights on podoplanin - a molecule that controls DC motility within the lymph node.
Register now! Link in bio.
September 24, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Dr. Sophie Acton (@actonlab.bsky.social/UCL)
is a Cancer Research UK Senior Fellow with an interest in lymphoid tissue biology.
At #KSStromal26, she'll be sharing her insights on podoplanin - a molecule that controls DC motility within the lymph node.
Register now! Link in bio.
is a Cancer Research UK Senior Fellow with an interest in lymphoid tissue biology.
At #KSStromal26, she'll be sharing her insights on podoplanin - a molecule that controls DC motility within the lymph node.
Register now! Link in bio.
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Save the date! Keystone Stromal Immunology meeting, Feb 2-5, 2026 #KSStromal26
1. Scholarships/Short Talk Abstracts: October 7
2. Early Registration: December 3 (Save $200!)
3. Poster Abstracts: January 12, 2026 (11:59 MST)
Please share! And reach out if you have any questions.
Can't wait!
1. Scholarships/Short Talk Abstracts: October 7
2. Early Registration: December 3 (Save $200!)
3. Poster Abstracts: January 12, 2026 (11:59 MST)
Please share! And reach out if you have any questions.
Can't wait!
August 4, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Save the date! Keystone Stromal Immunology meeting, Feb 2-5, 2026 #KSStromal26
1. Scholarships/Short Talk Abstracts: October 7
2. Early Registration: December 3 (Save $200!)
3. Poster Abstracts: January 12, 2026 (11:59 MST)
Please share! And reach out if you have any questions.
Can't wait!
1. Scholarships/Short Talk Abstracts: October 7
2. Early Registration: December 3 (Save $200!)
3. Poster Abstracts: January 12, 2026 (11:59 MST)
Please share! And reach out if you have any questions.
Can't wait!
Pleased to update this - The paper is published in Cell Reports!
A long road for this one, the paper grew exponentially and evolved over a couple of years. Thanks to @makris1.bsky.social for sticking with it to untangle all the new data!
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
A long road for this one, the paper grew exponentially and evolved over a couple of years. Thanks to @makris1.bsky.social for sticking with it to untangle all the new data!
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
September 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Pleased to update this - The paper is published in Cell Reports!
A long road for this one, the paper grew exponentially and evolved over a couple of years. Thanks to @makris1.bsky.social for sticking with it to untangle all the new data!
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
A long road for this one, the paper grew exponentially and evolved over a couple of years. Thanks to @makris1.bsky.social for sticking with it to untangle all the new data!
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Our latest preprint! - led by @makris1.bsky.social
we find that Podoplanin expression in lymphoid tissue fibroblasts regulated their inflammatory signalling and crosstalk with immune cell populations
doi.org/10.1101/2022...
we find that Podoplanin expression in lymphoid tissue fibroblasts regulated their inflammatory signalling and crosstalk with immune cell populations
doi.org/10.1101/2022...
November 22, 2024 at 3:33 PM
Our latest preprint! - led by @makris1.bsky.social
we find that Podoplanin expression in lymphoid tissue fibroblasts regulated their inflammatory signalling and crosstalk with immune cell populations
doi.org/10.1101/2022...
we find that Podoplanin expression in lymphoid tissue fibroblasts regulated their inflammatory signalling and crosstalk with immune cell populations
doi.org/10.1101/2022...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Our latest paper is finally out! We are showing the significance of the podoplanin/CLEC-2 signaling axis beyond controlling cellular mechanics and actomyosin contractility.
#fibroblasts #podoplanin #stroma #inflammation
@actonlab.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
#fibroblasts #podoplanin #stroma #inflammation
@actonlab.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Lymph node fibroblast phenotypes and immune crosstalk regulated by podoplanin activity
Makris et al. show that podoplanin regulates the transcription profile of lymph node
fibroblasts. Podoplanin deletion drives inflammation, disrupts lymph node architecture,
and attenuates stromal/immu...
www.cell.com
June 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Our latest paper is finally out! We are showing the significance of the podoplanin/CLEC-2 signaling axis beyond controlling cellular mechanics and actomyosin contractility.
#fibroblasts #podoplanin #stroma #inflammation
@actonlab.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
#fibroblasts #podoplanin #stroma #inflammation
@actonlab.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
🔬 Calling all researchers! 📢
Submit your research or reviews on myeloid cells for a special collection curated by experts!
Dive into the latest on their role in health & disease, and contribute to cutting-edge immunology. 🧬
👉 Learn more & submit: bit.ly/43OULe9
Submit your research or reviews on myeloid cells for a special collection curated by experts!
Dive into the latest on their role in health & disease, and contribute to cutting-edge immunology. 🧬
👉 Learn more & submit: bit.ly/43OULe9
April 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
🔬 Calling all researchers! 📢
Submit your research or reviews on myeloid cells for a special collection curated by experts!
Dive into the latest on their role in health & disease, and contribute to cutting-edge immunology. 🧬
👉 Learn more & submit: bit.ly/43OULe9
Submit your research or reviews on myeloid cells for a special collection curated by experts!
Dive into the latest on their role in health & disease, and contribute to cutting-edge immunology. 🧬
👉 Learn more & submit: bit.ly/43OULe9
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Learn more about UCL's Computational Cell Biophysics MRes by registering for one of our virtual open events on Wednesday 9 April: www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences...
MRes Computational Cell Biophysics virtual open events
Join one of our online open day sessions to find out more about UCL's Computational Cell Biophysics MRes.
www.ucl.ac.uk
April 7, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Learn more about UCL's Computational Cell Biophysics MRes by registering for one of our virtual open events on Wednesday 9 April: www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Contribute to the latest research on neuroinflammation! 🧠🔬
We’re inviting submissions on microglia, CNS immunopathology, and novel immune interactions in the brain.
Submit by June 2025!
📄 Learn more: bit.ly/3XAlsPV
We’re inviting submissions on microglia, CNS immunopathology, and novel immune interactions in the brain.
Submit by June 2025!
📄 Learn more: bit.ly/3XAlsPV
March 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Contribute to the latest research on neuroinflammation! 🧠🔬
We’re inviting submissions on microglia, CNS immunopathology, and novel immune interactions in the brain.
Submit by June 2025!
📄 Learn more: bit.ly/3XAlsPV
We’re inviting submissions on microglia, CNS immunopathology, and novel immune interactions in the brain.
Submit by June 2025!
📄 Learn more: bit.ly/3XAlsPV
Reposted by Sophie Acton
🐟 Did you know the immune system might be linked to the lunar cycle? A new study on freshwater three-spined sticklebacks suggests a tiny endogenous tidal rhythm in immune gene expression! 🌊🔬
Read more in Discovery Immunology 👉 bit.ly/4hMtCMm #Immunology
Read more in Discovery Immunology 👉 bit.ly/4hMtCMm #Immunology
March 25, 2025 at 5:37 PM
🐟 Did you know the immune system might be linked to the lunar cycle? A new study on freshwater three-spined sticklebacks suggests a tiny endogenous tidal rhythm in immune gene expression! 🌊🔬
Read more in Discovery Immunology 👉 bit.ly/4hMtCMm #Immunology
Read more in Discovery Immunology 👉 bit.ly/4hMtCMm #Immunology
Reposted by Sophie Acton
In their Review, Julien Morival, Anna Hazelwood and Jan Lammerding @lammerdinglab.bsky.social discuss new insights and technological advances in understanding nuclear mechanotransduction.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
March 12, 2025 at 12:05 PM
In their Review, Julien Morival, Anna Hazelwood and Jan Lammerding @lammerdinglab.bsky.social discuss new insights and technological advances in understanding nuclear mechanotransduction.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Issue 4 is complete
Explore our ToC: journals.biologists.com/jcs/issue/13...
Our cover image shows the stacked membranous discs which form the outer segments of photoreceptor cells. See article from Mohona Gupta, Gregory Pazour and colleagues: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Explore our ToC: journals.biologists.com/jcs/issue/13...
Our cover image shows the stacked membranous discs which form the outer segments of photoreceptor cells. See article from Mohona Gupta, Gregory Pazour and colleagues: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
March 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Issue 4 is complete
Explore our ToC: journals.biologists.com/jcs/issue/13...
Our cover image shows the stacked membranous discs which form the outer segments of photoreceptor cells. See article from Mohona Gupta, Gregory Pazour and colleagues: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Explore our ToC: journals.biologists.com/jcs/issue/13...
Our cover image shows the stacked membranous discs which form the outer segments of photoreceptor cells. See article from Mohona Gupta, Gregory Pazour and colleagues: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
NEW @preprintclub.bsky.social Journal Club of @biorxiv-immuno.bsky.social paper by @makris1.bsky.social @actonlab.bsky.social showing that loss of podoplanin in fibroblastic reticular cells results in decreased antibody levels and smaller germinal centres after immunization
Podoplanin mediates stromal–immune crosstalk in the lymph node - Nature Reviews Immunology
A preprint by Makris et al. shows that podoplanin is a key regulator of the functions of fibroblastic reticular cells in lymph nodes, by modulating interactions with immune cells.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2025 at 1:32 PM
NEW @preprintclub.bsky.social Journal Club of @biorxiv-immuno.bsky.social paper by @makris1.bsky.social @actonlab.bsky.social showing that loss of podoplanin in fibroblastic reticular cells results in decreased antibody levels and smaller germinal centres after immunization
Reposted by Sophie Acton
And Erika McCartney from Toronto will present a preprint about the effect of Podoplanin expression on the phenotypes and immunoregulatory properties of fibroblasts in lymph nodes. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Lymph Node Fibroblast Phenotypes and Immune Crosstalk Regulated by Podoplanin Activity
Lymph nodes are uniquely organised niches for immune interactions. Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) facilitate immune cell communication and regulate immune function by producing growth factors, ch...
www.biorxiv.org
December 18, 2024 at 2:48 PM
And Erika McCartney from Toronto will present a preprint about the effect of Podoplanin expression on the phenotypes and immunoregulatory properties of fibroblasts in lymph nodes. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
On #WorldCancerDay, we meet with @actonlab.bsky.social where Sophie Acton delves into the interactions between immune cells and support cells in lymph nodes and tumours. She discusses how fibroblasts influence immune responses and their potential in cancer therapy.
www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences...
www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences...
February 4, 2025 at 10:21 AM
On #WorldCancerDay, we meet with @actonlab.bsky.social where Sophie Acton delves into the interactions between immune cells and support cells in lymph nodes and tumours. She discusses how fibroblasts influence immune responses and their potential in cancer therapy.
www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences...
www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Also in Issue 2:
- Research Highlights on axon guidance, muscle fibres & EGFR signalling
- Meet our Associate Editors, Sophie Acton @actonlab.bsky.social, Pedro Carvalho, @guijacquemet.bsky.social, @ckirchhelle.bsky.social & Aryeh Warmflash
- GAG lyases Review
journals.biologists.com/jcs/issue/13...
- Research Highlights on axon guidance, muscle fibres & EGFR signalling
- Meet our Associate Editors, Sophie Acton @actonlab.bsky.social, Pedro Carvalho, @guijacquemet.bsky.social, @ckirchhelle.bsky.social & Aryeh Warmflash
- GAG lyases Review
journals.biologists.com/jcs/issue/13...
February 4, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Also in Issue 2:
- Research Highlights on axon guidance, muscle fibres & EGFR signalling
- Meet our Associate Editors, Sophie Acton @actonlab.bsky.social, Pedro Carvalho, @guijacquemet.bsky.social, @ckirchhelle.bsky.social & Aryeh Warmflash
- GAG lyases Review
journals.biologists.com/jcs/issue/13...
- Research Highlights on axon guidance, muscle fibres & EGFR signalling
- Meet our Associate Editors, Sophie Acton @actonlab.bsky.social, Pedro Carvalho, @guijacquemet.bsky.social, @ckirchhelle.bsky.social & Aryeh Warmflash
- GAG lyases Review
journals.biologists.com/jcs/issue/13...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
JCS Editor-in-Chief @drmichaelway.bsky.social introduces our new Associate Editors.
We are delighted to welcome Sophie Acton @actonlab.bsky.social, Pedro Carvalho, @guijacquemet.bsky.social, @ckirchhelle.bsky.social and Aryeh Warmflash to the JCS team.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
We are delighted to welcome Sophie Acton @actonlab.bsky.social, Pedro Carvalho, @guijacquemet.bsky.social, @ckirchhelle.bsky.social and Aryeh Warmflash to the JCS team.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
January 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
JCS Editor-in-Chief @drmichaelway.bsky.social introduces our new Associate Editors.
We are delighted to welcome Sophie Acton @actonlab.bsky.social, Pedro Carvalho, @guijacquemet.bsky.social, @ckirchhelle.bsky.social and Aryeh Warmflash to the JCS team.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
We are delighted to welcome Sophie Acton @actonlab.bsky.social, Pedro Carvalho, @guijacquemet.bsky.social, @ckirchhelle.bsky.social and Aryeh Warmflash to the JCS team.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Sophie @actonlab.bsky.social will handle manuscripts on immune cell biology, immunology, tumour microenvironment and lymphoid tissues. You can learn more about Sophie’s research in our Cell Scientist to Watch interview from 2020:
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
January 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Sophie @actonlab.bsky.social will handle manuscripts on immune cell biology, immunology, tumour microenvironment and lymphoid tissues. You can learn more about Sophie’s research in our Cell Scientist to Watch interview from 2020:
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Happy to share that my PhD work got published in the special issue dedicated to the 100-year anniversary of the Spemann-Mangold Organiser:
Tissue mechanics modulate morphogen signalling to induce the head organiser
doi.org/10.1016/j.cd...
With @mayorlab.bsky.social and Guillaume Charras
1/n
Tissue mechanics modulate morphogen signalling to induce the head organiser
doi.org/10.1016/j.cd...
With @mayorlab.bsky.social and Guillaume Charras
1/n
Redirecting
doi.org
December 6, 2024 at 11:13 AM
Happy to share that my PhD work got published in the special issue dedicated to the 100-year anniversary of the Spemann-Mangold Organiser:
Tissue mechanics modulate morphogen signalling to induce the head organiser
doi.org/10.1016/j.cd...
With @mayorlab.bsky.social and Guillaume Charras
1/n
Tissue mechanics modulate morphogen signalling to induce the head organiser
doi.org/10.1016/j.cd...
With @mayorlab.bsky.social and Guillaume Charras
1/n
Reposted by Sophie Acton
Super talk at #EMDS2024 by Anna Obenauf on myeloid cell hubs for T cell interactions in cancer 👏
And this is coming out in Nature 🧪 in just a few hours - congrats to Anais, Guillem, Anna & all authors 🥳🎉
@aelewaut.bsky.social
@guillemxtivill.bsky.social
@obenaufa.bsky.social
@impvienna.bsky.social
And this is coming out in Nature 🧪 in just a few hours - congrats to Anais, Guillem, Anna & all authors 🥳🎉
@aelewaut.bsky.social
@guillemxtivill.bsky.social
@obenaufa.bsky.social
@impvienna.bsky.social
November 27, 2024 at 2:07 PM
Super talk at #EMDS2024 by Anna Obenauf on myeloid cell hubs for T cell interactions in cancer 👏
And this is coming out in Nature 🧪 in just a few hours - congrats to Anais, Guillem, Anna & all authors 🥳🎉
@aelewaut.bsky.social
@guillemxtivill.bsky.social
@obenaufa.bsky.social
@impvienna.bsky.social
And this is coming out in Nature 🧪 in just a few hours - congrats to Anais, Guillem, Anna & all authors 🥳🎉
@aelewaut.bsky.social
@guillemxtivill.bsky.social
@obenaufa.bsky.social
@impvienna.bsky.social