02/03/2026
How do immune cells know where to go when the body is injured or fighting infection?
A new study from researchers at Purdue University shows that bioelectric signals across a cell’s membrane help guide neutrophils, fast-moving white blood cells that are often among the first to respond. The team found that an ion channel called Kir7.1 helps control the flow of potassium ions, shaping the membrane voltage that allows neutrophils to sense direction and move efficiently toward chemical cues.
The research, titled “Inwardly rectifying potassium channels promote directional sensing during neutrophil chemotaxis,” was co-led by Qing Deng in the Purdue Science and GuangJun Zhang in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine & Veterinary Hospital. The project brought together collaborators across campus, including Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University Chemical Engineering, and the Purdue Autism Research Center.
Using advanced imaging and photoactivation techniques, the researchers were able to visualize membrane voltage in individual immune cells and even influence where the cells formed new protrusions. When membrane voltage was altered in specific regions, the cells changed direction. When cells were pushed into an overly quiet electrical state, they stalled and could not move effectively. Together, these findings show that maintaining a precise electrical balance is essential for normal neutrophil movement during immune response.
Understanding how membrane voltage shapes cell movement could eventually help scientists explore new ways to guide immune cells toward tumors or sites of inflammation, with potential relevance to cancer and autoimmune disease research.
This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, with additional support from the EMBRIO Institute funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges - AAVMC
