Neutrophil Migration

Neutrophil migration refers to the movement of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, from the bloodstream into tissues in response to infection or inflammation. This process is essential for innate immune defense and involves a tightly regulated multistep cascade that enables neutrophils to reach sites of tissue damage or infection rapidly. The process consists of several coordinated steps: tethering and rolling, activation, firm adhesion, crawling, transendothelial migration (diapedesis), basement membrane breach & interstitial migration, and transepithelial migration (in organs like lungs). Key molecules involved include: Selectins (E-, P-, L-selectin), Integrins (LFA-1 [CD11a/CD18], Mac-1 [CD11b/CD18]), Immunoglobulin superfamily members (ICAMs), and Chemokine receptors.