title: Human neutrophils do not degrade major basement membrane components during chemotactic migration.
abstract: At sites of inflammation, circulating neutrophils (PMNs) migrate through microvessel walls into the subendothelial interstitium. While endothelial passage is mediated by adhesion proteins, including those of the integrin, selectin and immunoglobulin superfamily classes, the mechanisms used to cross the subendothelial basement membrane (BM) are unclear. Studies examining tumour cell invasion and lymphocyte extravasation suggest several possible mechanisms, including proteolysis. Different cells, however, may use different mechanisms to effect passage. To examine neutrophil-basement membrane interactions in more detail, human PMNs were embedded within reconstituted BM (Matrigel) and used in migration assays. The integrity of the gel following migration was assessed by assaying for the release of incorporated radiolabelled products and by-immunoblotting for specific matrix molecule epitopes. PMNs migrated through Matrigel in response to the chemotactic peptide FMLP. Degradation products of laminin, heparan sulphate proteoglycan or of gelatin, however, were not detected. In contrast, phorbol ester, which triggers activation without migration, released approximately 40% of incorporated HSPG, 30% of gelatin and 20% of laminin as intact molecules or degraded fragments. Electron microscopy of migrating cells demonstrated pseudopodia associated with channels within the Matrigel. Although the serine proteinase inhibitor DFP, plasma and a specific anti-neutrophil elastase IgG blocked degradation, these agents failed to inhibit migration. Migration was inhibited, however, when the Matrigel concentration was increased to 10 mg/ml. Thus, although PMNs will degrade matrix components they do not do so during migration, and proteolytic remodelling of the BM is not a pre-requisite for neutrophil passage.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nephrology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff Royal Infirmary, U.K.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steadman
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: St John
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Heck
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Abrahamson
mesh_terms: D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005780:Gelatin / Q000378:metabolism; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; D013481:Superoxides; C059485:matrigel; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D005780:Gelatin; D003094:Collagen; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase