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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2024 Dec 1.
Published in final edited form as: Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2023 Nov 11;85:102276. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102276

Figure 1: Amoeboid and mesenchymal migration - Similarities and differences.

Figure 1:

Overall, all leukocytes, including neutrophils use an ameboid migration pattern. This type of migration does not rely on proteolytic degradation of the ECM nor strong focal adhesion therefore this type of migration is fast. Establishment of a clear cell polarity is crucial for proper migration with F-actin localizing at the leading edge together with PIP3 gradient. Rho activation and Myosin II generate contractile forces that are responsible for the propulsion of neutrophils. Recently, using LLSM it has been shown that neutrophils display a long Uropod trail that eventually loses while migrating. Interestingly MTOC localizes in the front of the nucleus. Macrophages are known by their morphological plasticity and can also acquire mesenchymal phenotypes with a slow migration speed. This type of migration uses lamellipodia that competes to guide cells through the interstitial tissue. F-actin is localized in lamellipodia, and small myosin filaments attach to focal adhesion allowing cell to interact strongly with ECM. Mesenchymal migration relies heavily on traction. Interestingly, contrary to ameboid cells MTOC is located both at the rear and front of macrophage nucleus.