Myo1f required for neutrophil migration in 3D environments

During the acute inflammatory response, neutrophils are recruited from the blood stream into the inflamed tissue. To ensure an adequate immune response, neutrophil migration within 3D environments, i.e. transmigration and interstitial migration is fundamentally important and relies on the dynamic deformation of the nucleus to pass restrictive barriers.

In the present study, the unconventional Myosin 1f (Myo1f) was identified to play a specific role in nucleus deformation during migration through narrow pores within a meshwork of collagen fibers. Accordingly, neutrophil migration within 3D environments was compromised in the genetic absence of Myo1f. Together, these findings identify Myo1f as a novel molecular player of neutrophil trafficking in innate immunity.

Still image of a neutrophil stained with the nuclear dye Hoechst (green) migrating through a meshwork of collagen fibers (red).

Collaborative effort

In a collaborative effort, Melanie Salvermoser of project A02, headed by Barbara Walzog, and co-authors published these findings on the important role of Myo1f in the journal Blood. Melanie is a member of the graduate program IRTG 914.

The publication greatly benefitted from close collaborations between three groups within SFB 914. The work of Melanie and colleagues of project A02 (PI Barbara Walzog) was complemented by input from project B08 (PI Oliver Söhnlein), project B01 (PI Markus Sperandio) and the imaging platform project Z03 (PIs Barbara Walzog and Markus Sperandio).

Publication:

Salvermoser M, Pick R, Weckbach LT, Zehrer A, Loehr P, Drechsler M, Sperandio M, Soehnlein O, Walzog B. (2018)
Myosin 1f is specifically required for neutrophil migration in 3D environments during acute inflammation.
Blood 2018 Feb 27 [Epub ahead of print]

Contact:

Melanie Salvermoser, M. Sc.
Walter-Brendel-Zentrum für Experimentelle Medizin
Biomedizinisches Centrum
LMU München
Großhaderner Str. 9
D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried

Melanie.Salvermoser@lrz.uni-muenchen.de