The Arp2/3 complex maintains genome integrity and survival of epidermal Langerhans cells.

Arp2/3 complex activity via Arpc4 in myeloid cells is required for lifelong maintenance of epidermal Langerhans cells in mice, with numbers declining after birth.

• Why it matters: It was unclear whether branched actin networks directly support development or survival of tissue-resident myeloid cells.
• What they did: Mice with myeloid-specific Arpc4 deletion were analyzed in vivo for LCs, and bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells were tested for cell-cycle progression and DNA damage phenotypes.
• The result: Arpc4-deficient cells progressed through the cell cycle but accumulated DNA damage linked to aberrant nuclear shapes, reduced lamina, and nuclear envelope rupture, implying Arp2/3 helps preserve genome integrity and survival.

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