New model of leukocyte arrest

Paper suggests chemokines stop lymphocytes in a fraction of a second, faster than previously thought

| 3 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
3:00
Share

Lymphocytes rolling on high endothelial venules stop abruptly in response to chemokines presented by endothelial cells, according to a report published online in Nature Immunology today (April 18). The finding challenges previous notions of the mechanism of leukocyte arrest.

Ronen Alon, of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, and colleagues found that chemokines trigger instantaneous extension of the LFA-1 integrin—an adhesion molecule that can change between an inactive, bent conformation and an active, extended conformation. "The chemokine-mediated extension generates an intermediate affinity form of LFA-1, which brings the integrin head piece into close proximity with the adhesion molecule ICAM-1," Alon told The Scientist. "Then, ICAM-1 triggers the conversion to high affinity."

The physiological and biochemical data that the authors present argues for an integrin activation that happens in 0.1 to 0.5 seconds, resulting in a sudden arrest. "For a long time, it was believed that cells are rolling and ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

  • Graciela Flores

    This person does not yet have a bio.
Share
Image of a woman in a microbiology lab whose hair is caught on fire from a Bunsen burner.
April 1, 2025, Issue 1

Bunsen Burners and Bad Hair Days

Lab safety rules dictate that one must tie back long hair. Rosemarie Hansen learned the hard way when an open flame turned her locks into a lesson.

View this Issue
Faster Fluid Measurements for Formulation Development

Meet Honeybun and Breeze Through Viscometry in Formulation Development

Unchained Labs
Conceptual image of biochemical laboratory sample preparation showing glassware and chemical formulas in the foreground and a scientist holding a pipette in the background.

Taking the Guesswork Out of Quality Control Standards

sartorius logo
An illustration of PFAS bubbles in front of a blue sky with clouds.

PFAS: The Forever Chemicals

sartorius logo
Unlocking the Unattainable in Gene Construction

Unlocking the Unattainable in Gene Construction

dna-script-primarylogo-digital

Products

Metrion Biosciences Logo

Metrion Biosciences launches NaV1.9 high-throughput screening assay to strengthen screening portfolio and advance research on new medicines for pain

Biotium Logo

Biotium Unveils New Assay Kit with Exceptional RNase Detection Sensitivity

Atelerix

Atelerix signs exclusive agreement with MineBio to establish distribution channel for non-cryogenic cell preservation solutions in China

Green Cooling

Thermo Scientific™ Centrifuges with GreenCool Technology

Thermo Fisher Logo