Neutrophil Extravasation Cascade: What Can We Learn from Two-photon Intravital Imaging?

Immune cells (leukocytes or white blood cells) move actively and sensitively based on body conditions. Despite their important role as protectors inside the body, it is difficult to directly observe the spatiotemporal momentum of leukocytes. With advances in imaging technology, the introduction of two-photon microscopy has enabled researchers to look deeper inside tissues in a three-dimensional manner. In observations of immune cell movement along the blood vessel, vascular permeability and innate immune cell movements remain unclear. Here, we describe the neutrophil extravasation cascade, which were observed using a two-photon intravital imaging technique. We also provide evidence for novel mechanisms such as neutrophil body extension and microparticle formation as well as their biological roles during migration.