Leukocyte recruitment in inflammation: basic concepts and new mechanistic insights based on new models and microscopic imaging technologies

• Published in: Cell and tissue research Vol. 355; no. 3; pp. 647 - 656
• Main Authors: Leick, Marion, Azcutia, Veronica, Newton, Gail, Luscinskas, Francis W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2014; Springer Berlin Heidelberg; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; blood vessels; Cell adhesion & migration; endothelial cells; Endothelium; Health aspects; Human Genetics; Humans; image analysis; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Immune system; Inflammation; Inflammation - immunology; Leukocytes; Leukocytes - immunology; mice; Microscopy; Microscopy, Fluorescence - methods; Molecular Medicine; Monomolecular films; Proteomics; recruitment; Review; Pericytes; Endothelial cell; Inflammation; Neutrophil; Monocyte
• ISSN: 0302-766X; 1432-0878
• DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-1809-9

The immune cell system is a critical component of host defense. Recruitment of immune cells to sites of infection, immune reaction, or injury is complex and involves coordinated adhesive interactions between the leukocyte and the endothelial cell monolayer that lines blood vessels. This article reviews basic mechanisms in the recruitment of leukocytes to tissues and then selectively reviews new concepts that are emerging based on advances in live cell imaging microscopy and mouse strains. These emerging concepts are altering the conventional paradigms of inflammatory leukocyte recruitment established in the early 1990s. Indeed, recent publications have identified previously unrecognized contributions from pericytes and interstitial leukocytes and their secreted products that guide leukocytes to their targets. Investigators have also begun to design organs on a chip. Recent reports indicate that this avenue of research holds much promise.