Commentary
Cell Research (2001) 11, 85–88. doi:10.1038/sj.cr.7290071
Directional migration of leukocytes: their pathological roles in inflammation and strategies for development of anti-inflammatory therapies
Jian Guo GENG1
1Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
Correspondence: Jian Guo GENG, M.D., Ph.D., Tel: 086-21-64337215; Fax: 086-21-64331090; E-mail: jggeng@sunm.shcnc.ac.cn
Abstract
Directional migration of leukocytes is indispensable to innate immunity for host defense. However, recruitment of leukocytes to a site of tissue injury also constitutes a leading cause for inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, it involves a cascade of cellular events precisely regulated by temporal and spatial presentation of a repertoire of molecules in the migrating leukocytes and their surroundings (microenvironments). Here I will summarize the emerging evidence that has shed lights on the underlying molecular mechanism for directional migration of leukocytes, which has guided the therapeutical development for innovative anti-inflammatory medicines.
Keywords:
Directional cell migration, leukocytes, inflammation, therapy
