Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Laminar Flow-based Assays to Investigate Leukocyte Recruitment on Cultured Vascular Cells and Adherent Platelets
Published on: April 9, 2018
Leukocyte Breaching of Endothelial Barriers: The Actin Link
1Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Abstract:
Leukocyte transendothelial migration (TEM) takes place across micron-wide gaps in specific post-capillary venules generated by the transmigrating leukocyte. Because endothelial cells contain a dense cytoskeletal network, transmigrating leukocytes must overcome these mechanical barriers as they squeeze their nuclei through endothelial gaps and pores. Recent findings suggest that endothelial cells are not a passive barrier, and upon engagement by transmigrating leukocytes trigger extensive dynamic modifications of their actin cytoskeleton. Unexpectedly, endothelial contractility functions as a restrictor of endothelial gap enlargement rather than as a facilitator of gap formation as was previously suggested. In this review we discuss current knowledge regarding how accurately timed endothelial actin-remodeling events are triggered by squeezing leukocytes and coordinate leukocyte TEM while preserving blood vessel integrity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Cell Motility through Blebbing
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
Selectins
Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

