Actin remodelling of the endothelium during transendothelial migration of leukocytes

Abstract

For leukocytes crossing the vessel wall to solve inflammation, the endothelium acts as customs control. In the past years, progress has been made on the molecular mechanisms that are used by both the leukocytes and endothelium to allow efficient crossing, although not all the exact rules these vascular customs play by are completely understood. In this review, we focus on the contribution of the endothelium to the process of leukocyte extravasation and summarize the different molecular mechanisms involved in efficient leukocyte passage and prevention of local leakage at the same time. We will highlight the dynamic regulation of the endothelial actin cytoskeleton, which under the influence of different stimuli is a key player in leukocyte transendothelial migration.

Keywords: Actin; Endothelium; Inflammation; Transmigration; VE-Cadherin.