Research report 2021 - Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics

How immune cell swarms organize themselves

Authors
Lämmermann, Tim
Departments
Max Planck Forschungsgruppe Einzelzell- und Populationsdynamik von Immunzellen
Summary
Neutrophilic granulocytes are scavenger cells of the innate immune response and first aiders of our immune system. They patrol through blood vessels and enter quickly into tissues upon signs of inflammation or infection to eliminate pathogens. Once they have arrived, they form impressive cell swarms and together attack the microbes. Our research shows that neutrophils have evolved a molecular start-stop system to self-control their swarm activity and thereby effectively clear bacteria in tissues.

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