The role of the LTB4-BLT1 axis in chemotactic gradient sensing and directed leukocyte migration

Directed leukocyte migration is a hallmark of inflammatory immune responses. Leukotrienes are derived from arachidonic acid and represent a class of potent lipid mediators of leukocyte migration. In this review, we summarize the essential steps leading to the production of LTB4 in leukocytes. We discuss the recent findings on the exosomal packaging and transport of LTB4 in the context of chemotactic gradients formation and regulation of leukocyte recruitment. We also discuss the dynamic roles of the LTB4 receptors, BLT1 and BLT2, in mediating chemotactic signaling in leukocytes and contrast them to other structurally related leukotrienes that bind to distinct GPCRs. Finally, we highlight the specific roles of the LTB4-BLT1 axis in mediating signal-relay between chemotaxing neutrophils and its potential contribution to a wide variety of inflammatory conditions including tumor progression and metastasis, where LTB4 is emerging as a key signaling component.