Extracellular matrix moieties, cytokines, and enzymes: dynamic effects on immune cell behavior and inflammation

Tissue injury caused by infection or physical damage evokes inflammatory re actions and events that are necessary for regaining homeostasis, Central to these events is the translocation of leukocytes, including monocytes, neut rophils, and T lymphocytes, front the vascular system, through endothelium, and into the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the injured tissue, Th is transition front the vasculature into the site of inflammation elicits r emarkable changes in leukocyte behavior as cells adhere to and migrate acro ss ECM before carrying out their effector functions. Growing evidence sugge sts that, through its interactions with cytokines and degradative enzymes, the ECM microenvironment has a specialized role in providing intrinsic sign als for coordinating leukocyte actions. Recent advances also reveal that en zymatic modifications to ECM moieties and cytokines induce distinctive cell ular responses, and are likely part of the mechanism regulating the perpetu ation or arrest of inflammation. This article reviews the findings that hav e elucidated the dynamic relationships among these factors and how they com municate with immune cells during inflammation.