Receptor-mediated models for leukocyte chemotaxis (Q4377789)

It is well established that leukocytes like polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) exhibit chemotaxis in a spatial concentration gradient of a chemotactic factor (CF), that is, biased extension of lamellipods in the gradient direction leading to biased ``turning'' and orientation during locomotion. Two central and inextricably related questions remain unanswered: what are the molecular mechanisms by which a PMN senses and responds to a spatial gradient, albeit imperfectly, and how does the PMN retain the ability to do so over a large range of concentrations as it migrates in a meandering fashion up a gradient? While it is clear that the answers ultimately lie in the emerging details of receptor-mediated messenger generation and consequent modulation of the actin-based motility system of the cell, they will require an integrated understanding of these biochemical and biophysical phenomena. Our goal here is to examine these questions together from the viewpoint of mathematical models which facilitate such integration. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0877.00017].