Leading from the Back: The Role of the Uropod in Neutrophil Polarization and Migration

Cell motility is required for diverse biological processes including development, homing of immune cells, wound healing, and cancer cell invasion. Motile neutrophils exhibit a polarized morphology characterized by the formation of leading-edge pseudopods and a highly contractile cell rear known as the uropod. Although it is known that perturbing uropod formation impairs neutrophil migration, the role of the uropod in cell polarization and motility remains incompletely understood. Here we discuss cell intrinsic mechanisms that regulate neutrophil polarization and motility, with a focus on the uropod, and examine how relationships among regulatory mechanisms change when cells change their direction of migration. Neutrophils are phagocytic immune cells that migrate through tissues to sites of infection and tissue damage. Their polarized morphology is characterized by a leading-edge pseudopod and a contractile rear uropod. This review by Hind et al. discusses cell intrinsic mechanisms regulating neutrophil polarization and motility, focusing on the uropod.