Uropods, in immunology, refer to the hind part of polarized cells during cell migration that stabilize and move the cell. Polarized leukocytes move using amoeboid cell migration mechanisms, with a small leading edge, main cell body, and posterior uropod protrusion. Cytoskeleton contraction and extension, controlled by various polarized signals, helps propel the cell body forward. Leukocyte polarization is an important requirement for migration, activation and apoptosis in the adaptive and innate immune systems; most leukocytes, including monocytes, granulocytes, and T and B lymphocytes migrate to and from primary and secondary lymphoid organs to tissues to initiate immune responses to pathogens.
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Uropod (immunology) in the context of Amoeboid movement
Amoeboid movement is the most typical mode of locomotion in adherent eukaryotic cells. It is a crawling-like type of movement accomplished by protrusion of cytoplasm of the cell involving the formation of pseudopodia ("false-feet") and posterior uropods. One or more pseudopodia may be produced at a time depending on the organism, but all amoeboid movement is characterized by the movement of organisms with an amorphous form that possess no set motility structures.
Movement occurs when the cytoplasm slides and forms a pseudopodium in front to pull the cell forward. Some examples of organisms that exhibit this type of locomotion are amoebae (such as Amoeba proteus and Naegleria gruberi,) and slime molds, as well as some cells in humans such as leukocytes. Sarcomas, or cancers arising from connective tissue cells, are particularly adept at amoeboid movement, thus leading to their high rate of metastasis.
View the full Wikipedia page for Amoeboid movement