Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
9
CHAPTER
Adhesion Molecules and Neutrophil
Migration
Beth A. McCormick
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Massachusetts
School of Medicine, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA.
E-mail:
Beth.McCormick@umassmed.edu
Alternative contact
: E-mail:
Karen.Mumy@umassmed.edu
ABSTRACT
Neutrophil ini ltration of mucosal surfaces is a common event in many disease
states and is a critical component of the host defense response. Activation and
migration of neutrophils into tissues also contribute to inl ammatory tissue injury
and remodeling of tissue architecture. For example, in the kidney and bladder,
the migration of neutrophils across tubular or transitional epithelia accompanies
pyelonephritis and cystitis, respectively. In inl ammatory pulmonary disorders,
acute inl ammation of the airway is characterized by the transmigration of
neutrophils across the bronchial epithelium. In the alimentary tract, active
inl ammatory disease is characterized by the migration of neutrophils across
the epithelial lining. While these disorders are diverse with distinct causes and
pathologies, the underlying immune response to infection is very similar. In most
instances, there is a large and ot en excessive inl ux of neutrophils.
h is inl ammatory process consists of several steps: initial emigration of
neutrophils from the microcirculation, subsequent migration of neutrophils across
the subepithelial matrix, and i nally transepithelial migration. h us, neutrophils
must undergo specii c and highly coordinated interactions with the endothelium,
as well as epithelium. Knowledge of the mechanisms of neutrophil migration has
Key terms are dei ned at the end of the chapter.
