Vol. 283, Issue 1, G139-G147, July 2002
Molecular mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment in
postischemic liver microcirculation
Paul
Kubes,
Derrice
Payne, and
Richard C.
Woodman
Immunology Research Group, Department of Physiology and
Biophysics and Department of Medicine, University of Calgary Health
Sciences Center, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1
Evidence shows that leukocyte recruitment
into inflamed liver sinusoids does not require selectins, with one
notable exception: ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). We used
intravital microscopy to directly visualize the liver microcirculation
during I/R and localized endotoxemia (liver superfused with
lipopolysaccharide). General anti-selectin therapy (fucoidan) or
anti-adhesion therapy with an antithrombin inhibitor (hirudin) was also
used. Many neutrophils rolled and adhered in postsinusoidal vessels and
sequestered in the sinusoids during I/R and local endotoxin
superfusion. Although fucoidan blocked rolling in both forms of
inflammation, leukocyte recruitment into sinusoids was only blocked in
I/R. Adhesion was also inhibited in postischemic sinusoids
with a second anti-adhesive agent (hirudin). Because liver I/R
inevitably induces ischemia upstream in the intestine,
anti-selectin therapy may prevent intestinal injury, which could
prevent downstream liver inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we
completely removed the intestine and rerouted blood flow from the
superior mesenteric artery to the superior mesenteric vein. I/R was
induced in the liver microcirculation, and many leukocytes rolled and
adhered in postsinusoidal venules and adhered in sinusoids. Although
fucoidan significantly reduced the rolling in postsinusoidal vessels,
adhesion persisted in the sinusoids. Our data suggest that
anti-adhesion therapy is effective in liver I/R in the sinusoids and
postsinusoidal venules, perhaps in part due to its beneficial effect on
the intestine.
selectins; thrombin; adhesion; sinusoid