The LTB4-BLT1 signaling axis coordinates actomyosin dynamics and β-2 Integrin trafficking to drive intravascular neutrophil response to infection

Abstract

The eicosanoid Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) relays chemotactic signals to direct neutrophil migration to inflamed sites through its receptor BLT1. However, the mechanisms by which the LTB4-BLT1 axis relays chemotactic signals during intravascular neutrophil response to inflammation remain unclear. Here, we report that LTB4 produced by neutrophils acts as an autocrine/paracrine signal to direct the vascular recruitment, arrest and extravasation of neutrophils in a sterile inflammation model in the mouse footpad. Using Intravital Subcellular Microscopy (ISMic), we reveal that LTB4 elicits sustained cell polarization and adhesion responses during neutrophil arrest in vivo. Specifically, LTB4 signaling coordinates the dynamic redistribution of non-muscle Myosin IIA (NMIIA) and {beta}2-integrin (Itgb2), which facilitate neutrophil arrest and extravasation. Notably, we also found that neutrophils shed extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the vascular lumen, and that inhibition of EV release blocks LTB4-mediated autocrine/paracrine signaling required for neutrophil arrest and extravasation. Overall, we uncover a novel complementary mechanism by which LTB4 relays extravasation signals in neutrophils during early inflammation response. SUMMARYNeutrophils arrest and extravasate from the blood vessels in response to infection and injury. Using intravital subcellular microscopy, Subramanian et al. identify a role for extracellular vesicles-based autocrine/paracrine LTB4-BLT1 signaling in promoting the re-arrangement of actomyosin cytoskeleton and {beta}2-integrin during neutrophil extravasation in live animals.