Neutrophils under tension

Abstract

An article by Houk et al. (2012) in Cell provides insight into the mechanisms confining membrane protrusions to the front of migrating neutrophils. The authors rule out a role for diffusion of inhibitory signals and show that membrane tension is necessary and sufficient to restrict signals that lead to protrusions.

Figure 1. Membrane tension during neutrophil polarization

Upon chemoattractant addition, neutrophils readily polarize, and accumulate activating signals (green) at their leading edge. Cell polarization is stabilized by membrane tension, which acts as a general inhibitor for leading edge signals. When membrane tension is decreased, cells extend protrusions throughout their periphery and pseudopods overtake the entire cell (left). In contrast, when membrane tension is increased protrusions are repressed (right).