Drosophila Embryonic Hemocytes Produce Laminins to Strengthen Migratory Response

The most prominent developmental function attributed to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is cell migration. While cells in culture can produce ECM to migrate, the role of ECM in regulating developmental cell migration is classically viewed as an exogenous matrix presented to the moving cells. In contrast to this view, we show here that Drosophila embryonic hemocytes deposit their own laminins in streak-like structures to migrate efficiently throughout the embryo. With the help of transplantation experiments, live microscopy, and image quantification, we demonstrate that autocrine-produced laminin regulates hemocyte migration by controlling lamellipodia dynamics, stability, and persistence. Proper laminin deposition is regulated by the RabGTPase Rab8, which is highly expressed and required in hemocytes for lamellipodia dynamics and migration. Our results thus support a model in which, during embryogenesis, the Rab8-regulated autocrine deposition of laminin reinforces directional and effective migration by stabilizing cellular protrusions and strengthening otherwise transient adhesion states. [Display omitted] •Drosophila embryonic hemocytes use autocrine-produced laminins for their migration•Autocrine laminins regulate lamellipodia dynamics, stability, and persistence•Rab8 regulates laminin deposition and lamellipodia dynamics in migrating hemocytes•Laminins deposit in tracks around hemocytes and in a fibrillar mesh over the VNC The role of ECM in regulating developmental cell migration is classically viewed as an exogenous matrix presented to moving cells. In contrast, using the fruit fly, Sánchez-Sánchez et al. show that Drosophila embryonic hemocytes use autocrine-produced laminins to regulate lamellipodia stability, dynamics, and persistence, thus reinforcing directional migration.