Sinking while you swim: A dual role for CCR7 in leukocyte migration

Review Cell Biology

Receptors, enzymes and self-attraction as autocrine generators and amplifiers of chemotaxis and cell steering

Robert H. Insall

Summary: Cells create their own steering cues or modify cues from the outside for various reasons, including generating optimal directional information, probing the environment for information, symmetry breaking, generating new patterns and complexity, and bringing collectives together. Recent advances include more mechanisms of self-steering, particularly using cell-generated mechanical cues and oxygen gradients. An increasing number of cell types, such as immune cells and mesodermal cells, have been found to utilize self-steering. Receptor modification has also been identified as a key factor in limiting neutrophil swarming, allowing cells to monitor other areas. Self-steering is emerging as a dominant feature of cell motility.

CURRENT OPINION IN CELL BIOLOGY (2023)

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Article Immunology

CCR7 acts as both a sensor and a sink for CCL19 to coordinate collective leukocyte migration

Jonna Alanko et al.

Summary: Immune responses rely on the rapid and coordinated migration of leukocytes. We demonstrate that the GPCR CCR7 acts not only as a sensory receptor but also as a generator and a modulator of chemotactic gradients. CCR7 internalization acts as an effective sink for the chemoattractant, dynamically shaping the distribution of the chemokine and driving complex collective migration patterns.

SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY (2023)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences