Controlling the molecular motor of neutrophil chemotaxis.
Our defence against microbes depends largely on the ability of neutrophils to migrate from the blood stream to sites of infection. Although the ability of animal cells to move may be primitive, and also fundamental for a number of phenomena in biology, the cellular mechanism by which neutrophils are able to move rapidly towards the infection remains an enigma. Even though the structures of the receptors involved have been sequenced and many of the molecules involved in neutrophil adherence and traction identified, the essential mechanisms that control and regulate the neutrophil motor remain obscure. Here, an outline of the fundamental inadequacies in our current understanding is given, along with some recent developments that promise to produce some significant advances.
Hallett
M B
MB
Molecular Signalling Group, University Department of Surgery, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology; D009038:Motion; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D044042:Receptors, Formyl Peptide; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000502:physiology; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D044042:Receptors, Formyl Peptide; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; D002118:Calcium