Leukocyte recruitment in inflammation

ESM & EVBO programme

Leukocyte recruitment is a central immunological process enabling leukocytes to leave the microvasculature and migrate into tissue. Leukocyte recruitment proceeds along a well-defined cascade of events starting with the capture of free flowing leukocytes to and subsequent rolling along the vessel wall. This is followed by firm leukocyte arrest, post-arrest modifications such as adhesion strengthening and intraluminal crawling, and finally transmigration into tissue. The elucidation of the molecular events occurring during leukocyte recruitment has been greatly accelerated recently by the concomitant use of genetically engineered mice and intravital microscopy techniques, tools which are also central to the findings presented by the speakers of this symposium.