A mathematical model for bleb regulation in zebrafish primordial germ cells.

Blebs are cell protrusions generated by local membrane-cortex detachments followed by expansion of the plasma membrane. Blebs are formed by some migrating cells, e.g. primordial germ cells of the zebrafish. While blebs occur randomly at each part of the membrane in unpolarized cells, a polarization process guarantees the occurrence of blebs at a preferential site and thereby facilitates migration toward a specified direction. Little is known about the factors involved in the controlled and directed bleb generation, yet recent studies revealed the influence of an intracellular flow and the stabilizing role of the membrane-cortex linker molecule Ezrin. Based on this information, we develop and analyse a coupled bulk-surface model describing a potential cellular mechanism by which a bleb could be induced at a controlled site. The model rests upon intracellular Darcy flow and a diffusion-advection-reaction system, describing the temporal evolution from a homogeneous to a strongly anisotropic Ezrin distribution. We prove the well-posedness of the mathematical model and show that simulations qualitatively correspond to experimental observations, suggesting that indeed the interaction of an intracellular flow with membrane proteins can be the cause of the Ezrin redistribution accompanying bleb formation.

Endothelial Basement Membrane Laminin 511 Contributes to Endothelial Junctional Tightness and Thereby Inhibits Leukocyte Transmigration.

Endothelial basement membranes constitute barriers to extravasating leukocytes during inflammation, a process where laminin isoforms define sites of leukocyte exit; however, how this occurs is poorly understood. In addition to a direct effect on leukocyte transmigration, we show that laminin 511 affects endothelial barrier function by stabilizing VE-cadherin at junctions and downregulating expression of CD99L2, correlating with reduced neutrophil extravasation. Binding of endothelial cells to laminin 511, but not laminin 411 or non-endothelial laminin 111, enhanced transendothelial cell electrical resistance (TEER) and inhibited neutrophil transmigration. Data suggest that endothelial adhesion to laminin 511 via ß1 and ß3 integrins mediates RhoA-induced VE-cadherin localization to cell-cell borders, and while CD99L2 downregulation requires integrin ß1, it is RhoA-independent. Our data demonstrate that molecular information provided by basement membrane laminin 511 affects leukocyte extravasation both directly and indirectly by modulating endothelial barrier properties.

Protection from septic peritonitis by rapid neutrophil recruitment through omental high endothelial venules.

Acute peritonitis is a frequent medical condition that can trigger severe sepsis as a life-threatening complication. Neutrophils are first-responders in infection but recruitment mechanisms to the abdominal cavity remain poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that high endothelial venules (HEVs) of the greater omentum constitute a main entry pathway in TNFα-, Escherichia coli (E. coli)- and caecal ligation and puncture-induced models of inflammation. Neutrophil transmigration across HEVs is faster than across conventional postcapillary venules and requires a unique set of adhesion receptors including peripheral node addressin, E-, L-selectin and Mac-1 but not P-selectin or LFA-1. Omental milky spots readily concentrate intra-abdominal E. coli where macrophages and recruited neutrophils collaborate in phagocytosis and killing. Inhibition of the omental neutrophil response exacerbates septic progression of peritonitis. This data identifies HEVs as a clinically relevant vascular recruitment site for neutrophils in acute peritonitis that is indispensable for host defence against early systemic bacterial spread and sepsis.