Rho proteins, PI 3-kinases, and monocyte/macrophage motility

Rho proteins and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI 3-kinases) have been widely implicated in regulating cell motility both in cultured cells and in animal models. Monocytes are recruited from the bloodstream in response to inflammatory signals, and migrate across the endothelial barrier into the tissues, where they differentiate into macrophages and phagocytose bacteria and cells. Studies of monocytes and macrophages have revealed that different Rho family members and PI 3-kinases are not functionally redundant but play unique and distinct roles in motile responses.