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Microfluidic Systems to Study Neutrophil Forward and Reverse Migration
Kehinde Adebayo Babatunde1, Jose M Ayuso1, Sheena C Kerr1,2
1Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.
Abstract:
During infection, neutrophils are the most abundantly recruited innate immune cells at sites of infection, playing critical roles in the elimination of local infection and healing of the injury. Neutrophils are considered to be short-lived effector cells that undergo cell death at infection sites and in damaged tissues. However, recent in vitro and in vivo evidence suggests that neutrophil behavior is more complex and that they can migrate away from the inflammatory site back into the vasculature following the resolution of inflammation. Microfluidic devices have contributed to an improved understanding of the interaction and behavior of neutrophils ex vivo in 2D and 3D microenvironments. The role of reverse migration and its contribution to the resolution of inflammation remains unclear. In this review, we will provide a summary of the current applications of microfluidic devices to investigate neutrophil behavior and interactions with other immune cells with a focus on forward and reverse migration in neutrophils.
Insights
Neutrophils, key innate immune cells, exhibit complex behaviors beyond simple cell death during infection. This review explores their reverse migration using microfluidic devices to understand inflammation resolution.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Neutrophils are primary innate immune cells crucial for infection control and tissue repair.
- Traditionally viewed as short-lived, neutrophils demonstrate complex behaviors, including migration away from inflammatory sites.
- Understanding neutrophil reverse migration is vital for comprehending inflammation resolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the applications of microfluidic devices in studying neutrophil behavior.
- To focus on neutrophil forward and reverse migration dynamics.
- To elucidate the role of neutrophil reverse migration in inflammation resolution.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing microfluidic devices for ex vivo analysis of neutrophil behavior.
- Investigating neutrophil interactions with other immune cells in controlled microenvironments.
- Summarizing current research on neutrophil migration patterns.
Main Results:
- Microfluidic devices offer advanced insights into neutrophil 2D and 3D microenvironment interactions.
- Evidence suggests neutrophils can migrate back into vasculature post-inflammation.
- The precise role of reverse migration in resolving inflammation requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic technology is instrumental in dissecting neutrophil migration.
- Neutrophil reverse migration is a significant, yet understudied, aspect of immune response.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of neutrophil reverse migration for inflammation resolution.
