Role of cortactin homolog HS1 in transendothelial migration of natural killer cells.

Natural Killer (NK) cells perform many functions that depend on actin assembly, including adhesion, chemotaxis, lytic synapse assembly and cytolysis. HS1, the hematopoietic homolog of cortactin, binds to Arp2/3 complex and promotes actin assembly by helping to form and stabilize actin filament branches. We investigated the role of HS1 in transendothelial migration (TEM) by NK cells.

Endothelial monolayers and transendothelial migration depend on mechanical properties of the substrate.

Endothelial cells (ECs) line the microvasculature and constitute a barrier between the vessel lumen and surrounding tissues. ECs inform circulating immune cells of the health and integrity of surrounding tissues, recruiting them in response to pathogens and tissue damage. ECs play an active role in the transmigration of immune cells across the vessel wall.