Modern technology is making it possible for scientists to discover new things about the human body and how we function. A video recorded image of microscopic waves is reported to drive white blood cells, or the soldier cells, toward invading, potentially harmful microorganisms. With hopeful findings like these, researchers are just one step closer to better comprehend and treat diseases of the heart as well as cancers.
These vibrant waves were visible by the use of a high resolution brightfield compound microscope, and are reported to be made of protein that directs cell activities. Without high technology like the brightfield compound microscope, these wavelike motions could not be revealed. Dr. Orion Weiner, who led the research, states that the visualization under these high powered brightfield compound microscopes were very thrilling indeed. It created a hypothesis that the protein was managing cell movement. Further experiments were conducted to prove this.
The researchers found this discovery essential as it can be applied to cancer cell metastasis and may encourage the creation of strategies to stop the growth of cancer in the cells. This discovery of the regulation of cell movement can also be applied to cases of heart disease, because white blood cells are often defective in diseases of the heart. As the white blood cells are the body’s ‘soldiers’ or first line defense mechanism, they are among the fastest moving cells in the body. The researchers stated that the wave-like action that propels them towards harmful microorganisms is similar to that of the electrical system used along a neuron to make the heart beat.
Dr. Weiner states that the discovery is fascinating, as these waves seem to be simple protein interactions and yet results in something very complex. He states that this wave-like cycle is has a similar principle to the concept of neuronal conduction that is responsible for the beating of the heart and brain functions. They are similar in that they use self-activating systems. With high tech tools like the brightfield compound microscope, the scientists further observed the Hem-1 activation and inhibition of actin. In the experiment, the research team utilized fluorescently tagged Hem-1 to see if it was indeed the protein that played a part in the wave action, or was the wave itself. As observed with optical microscopy, the molecules of Hem-1 did not actually move, but forms the wave by passing information between the molecules.
Further research is not being conducted to determine how external signals may effect this wave-like system of the cells. Researchers are also eager to find out if the wave action they found within white blood cells or neutrophils may also be responsible for the movement of other cells and organisms present in the body.
The researcher’s work was published in the online journal of Public Library of Science Biology in August 13, 2007. The lead author being Dr. Orion Weiner, who is an assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He is also an investigator at the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences.