Adherent neutrophils activate endothelial myosin light chain kinase: role in transendothelial migration.

Increased vascular endothelial cell (EC) permeability and neutrophilic leukocyte (PMN) diapedesis through paracellular gaps are cardinal features of acute inflammation. Activation of the EC contractile apparatus is necessary and sufficient to increase vascular permeability in specific models of EC barrier dysfunction. However, it is unknown whether EC contraction with subsequent paracellular gap formation is required for PMN transendothelial migration in response to chemotactic factors.