Importance of E-selectin for firm leukocyte adhesion in vivo

K Ley, M Allietta, DC Bullard, S Morgan - Circulation research, 1998 - Am Heart Assoc
K Ley, M Allietta, DC Bullard, S Morgan
Circulation research, 1998Am Heart Assoc
Leukocyte adhesion under flow is preferentially mediated by the selectins. In this study we
used intravital microscopy to investigate whether E-selectin may promote firm leukocyte
adhesion in vivo. E-Selectin is expressed by endothelial cells activated with tumor necrosis
factor-α (TNF-α) and causes slow leukocyte rolling. Microinjection of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-
phenylalanine (fMLP) or macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) next to a venule of the
TNF-α–treated mouse cremaster muscle significantly increased the number of adherent …
Abstract
—Leukocyte adhesion under flow is preferentially mediated by the selectins. In this study we used intravital microscopy to investigate whether E-selectin may promote firm leukocyte adhesion in vivo. E-Selectin is expressed by endothelial cells activated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and causes slow leukocyte rolling. Microinjection of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) next to a venule of the TNF-α–treated mouse cremaster muscle significantly increased the number of adherent leukocytes. In gene-targeted mice homozygous for a null mutation in the E-selectin gene or in wild-type mice treated with an E-selectin monoclonal antibody (mAb), this response was significantly attenuated (by >80%). No such defect was seen in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)–deficient mice. E-Selectin–null mice showed more rapid leukocyte rolling than wild-type or ICAM-1–deficient mice, resulting in significantly shortened leukocyte transit times through venules. Topical application of fMLP onto the whole cremaster muscle generated the same number of adherent leukocytes in wild-type and E-selectin–deficient mice. We conclude that slow leukocyte rolling through E-selectin results in long transit times, which are essential for efficient leukocyte adhesion in response to a local chemotactic stimulus.
Am Heart Assoc