Calpain regulates neutrophil chemotaxis.

ABSTRACT: Cell polarization is required for directed cell migration. We investigated the role of the calcium-dependent protease calpain during neutrophil chemotaxis and found that calpain inhibition induced neutrophil adhesion, polarization, and rapid chemokinesis in the absence of exogenous activators. Resting neutrophils display constitutive calpain activity with mu-calpain being the predominant active isoform. Our findings suggest that constitutive calpain activity in resting neutrophils may function as a negative regulator of protrusion and migration. Specific inhibition of mu-calpain, but not m-calpain, induced neutrophil polarization and chemokinesis. In contrast to IL-8-induced chemokinesis, the chemokinesis induced by calpain inhibition was not reduced in the presence of pertussis toxin, sug

SUBMITTER: Lokuta MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC153038 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature