Vimentin cage – A double-edged sword in host anti-infection defense

Vimentin, a type III intermediate filament, reorganizes into what is termed the ‘vimentin cage’ in response to various pathogenic infections. This cage-like structure provides an envelope to key components of the pathogen's life cycle. In viral infections, the vimentin cage primarily serves as a scaffold and organizer for the replication factory, promoting viral replication. However, it also occasionally contributes to antiviral functions. For bacterial infections, the cage mainly supports bacterial proliferation in most observed cases. These consistent structural alterations in vimentin, induced by a range of viruses and bacteria, highlight the vimentin cage's crucial role. Pathogen-specific factors add complexity to this interaction. In this review, we provide a thorough overview of the functions and mechanisms of the vimentin cage and speculate on vimentin's potential as a novel target for anti-pathogen strategies.