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Updated: May 15, 2026
15:01
Tracking Neutrophil Intraluminal Crawling, Transendothelial Migration and Chemotaxis in Tissue by Intravital Video Microscopy
Published on: September 24, 2011
Intraluminal crawling versus interstitial neutrophil migration during inflammation
Robert Pick1, Doris Brechtefeld, Barbara Walzog
1Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. robert.pick@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Molecular Immunology
|January 15, 2013
Summary
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) migration is crucial for host defense during inflammation. This review details the molecular mechanisms controlling PMN intraluminal crawling and interstitial migration, highlighting the role of β2 integrins.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are critical for host defense during acute inflammation.
- Efficient PMN trafficking to inflammatory sites involves intraluminal crawling on endothelial cells and interstitial migration.
- Understanding these migration steps is vital for addressing inflammatory diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms governing PMN intraluminal crawling and interstitial migration.
- To elucidate the role of β2 integrins (CD11/CD18) in PMN recruitment.
- To provide insights into cellular functions during the inflammatory response.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on cellular migration and molecular interactions.
- Analysis of studies investigating adhesion molecules and their functions.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on PMN trafficking pathways.
Main Results:
- PMN migration involves distinct phases: intraluminal crawling and interstitial migration.
- Specific molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways regulate these migratory processes.
- β2 integrins (CD11/CD18) play a pivotal role in mediating PMN adhesion and migration.
Conclusions:
- Fine-tuning of PMN migration is essential for effective inflammatory response.
- β2 integrins are key regulators of PMN trafficking during inflammation.
- Further research into these mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
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