Figure 2.

Schematic diagram showing the migration process of CX3CR1⁺ cells (in this case CD68⁺ cell) from the intravascular area via the vascular endothelium (CD56⁺ cells) to the site of inflammation. The chemotaxis process is initiated by the increasing concentration of sCX3CL1 (a). CD68⁺ cell moves towards endothelium cells that present mCX3CL1 on their surface (b). Binding of the CX3CR1 to mCX3CL1 begins the reaction cycle allowing the CD68⁺ to start the diapedesis process (c). The end of the migration process occurs when CD68⁺ is outside of the blood vessel (d). CX3CR1: CX3C chemokine receptor 1; CD: cluster of differentiation; sCX3CL1: soluble form of CX3CL1; mCX3CL1: membrane-anchored form of CX3CL1.