Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Non-invasive Imaging of Leukocyte Homing and Migration in vivo
Published on: December 6, 2010
Two-dimensional and three-dimensional movement of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: two fundamentally different
Abstract:
Patients with an inherited deficiency of the adherence glycoproteins LFA-1, Mac-1, and p150,95 are unable to mobilize polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) to peripheral sites of inflammation. LFA-1/Mac-1/p150,95-deficient PMNL exhibited profoundly impaired movement stimulated by chemotactic factors when the cells were required to move over two-dimensional surfaces. Less impairment of movement was demonstrated in three-dimensional movement through cellulose filters. A possible explanation for this difference in cell translational mobility is that movement in cellulose filters is less adherence dependent than movement over a two-dimensional plastic surface. Movement of PMNL in collagen gels is known to be relatively independent of adherence. No deficiency of translational mobility of PMNL from LFA-1/Mac-1/p150,95-deficient patients was observed in collagen gels. Antibodies against the common beta subunit effectively blocked two-dimensional movement but had little effect on three-dimensional movement through cellulose filters or collagen gel matrices. HL-60 cells were employed as a model to investigate the effects of adherence on cell movement. Treatment of HL-60 cells with phorbol myristate acetate resulted in the appearance of Mac-1 and p150,95 on the cell surface. Concurrently, the cells exhibited increased adherence to glass and plastic. In spite of increased adherence, HL-60 cells showed no translational movement, indicating factors other than the ability to adhere were important in cell motility. These experiments implied that PMNLs undergo two fundamentally different kinds of motion, one adherence dependent (two-dimensional movement) and the other largely adherence independent (three-dimensional movement). These findings are consistent with the view that egress of PMNLs from the vascular space is adherence dependent. Movement through extravascular tissues may be adherence independent.
Insights
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) lacking specific adherence glycoproteins show impaired 2D movement but normal 3D movement. This suggests distinct adherence-dependent and independent mechanisms govern cell migration in different environments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Patients with inherited deficiencies in LFA-1, Mac-1, and p150,95 glycoproteins cannot mobilize polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) to inflammatory sites.
- These deficiencies profoundly impair PMNL movement on two-dimensional surfaces but show less effect on three-dimensional movement through filters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential impact of adherence glycoproteins on PMNL migration in two-dimensional versus three-dimensional environments.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying adherence-dependent and independent cell motility.
Main Methods:
- Assessed translational mobility of PMNLs from deficient patients and HL-60 cells in two-dimensional (plastic surfaces) and three-dimensional (cellulose filters, collagen gels) matrices.
- Utilized antibodies against the common beta subunit to block cell movement.
- Induced Mac-1 and p150,95 expression on HL-60 cells to study adherence effects on motility.
Main Results:
- PMNLs deficient in LFA-1/Mac-1/p150,95 showed impaired two-dimensional movement but normal movement in collagen gels, indicating adherence independence in 3D.
- Antibodies against the common beta subunit blocked 2D movement but minimally affected 3D movement.
- Induced adherence in HL-60 cells did not enhance translational movement, highlighting factors beyond mere adherence.
Conclusions:
- PMNLs exhibit two distinct migratory modes: adherence-dependent (2D) and largely adherence-independent (3D).
- These findings support the hypothesis that PMNL extravasation from vasculature is adherence-dependent, while migration through tissues is adherence-independent.
Related Concept Videos
Cell Migration
Cell Migration
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration
Mechanism of Ciliary Motion
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...

