A balance between matrix deformation and the coordination of turning events governs directed neutrophil migration in 3-D matrices

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3-D) neutrophil migration is essential for immune surveillance and inflammatory responses. During 3-D migration, especially through extravascular spaces, neutrophils rely on frontal protrusions and rear contractions to squeeze and maneuver through extracellular matrices containing narrow pores. However, the role of matrix density and the cells’ ability to probe and remodel matrix pores during 3-D chemotaxis are far from being understood. We investigated these processes by tracking the trajectories of over 20,000 neutrophils in a 3-D migration device containing collagen matrices of varying concentrations and analyzing the shape of these trajectories at multiple scales. Additionally, we quantified the transient 3-D matrix deformations caused by the migrating cells. The mean pore size of our reconstituted collagen matrices decreased when the collagen concentration ([col]) was increased. In low-[col] matrices, neutrophils exerted large transient deformations and migrated in relatively straight trajectories. In contrast, they were not able to appreciably deform high- [col] matrices and adapted to this inability by turning more often to circumvent these narrow matrix pores. While this adaptation resulted in slower migration, the cells were able to balance the more frequent turning with the long-range directional bias necessary for chemotaxis. Based on our statistical analysis of cell trajectories, we postulate that neutrophils achieve this balance by using matrix obstacles as pivoting points to steer their motion towards the chemoattractant. Inhibiting myosin-II contractility or Arp2/3-mediated pseudopod protrusions not only compromised the cells’ ability to deform the matrix, but also made them switch to increased turning in more restrictive matrices when compared to untreated control cells. Both myosin-II contractility and Arp2/3-mediated branched polymerization of actin played a role in fast migration, but Arp2/3 was also crucial for neutrophils when coordinating the orientations of successive turns to prevent veering away from the chemotactic path. These results may contribute to an improved understanding of the mechanisms employed by migrating neutrophils in confined 3-D environments, as well as the molecular and environmental regulators for maintaining persistent motion.