Leukocyte transmigration in inflamed liver: A role for endothelial cell-selective adhesion molecule

• Published in: Journal of hepatology 2009-04, Vol.50 (4), p.755-765
• Main Authors: Khandoga, Andrej, Huettinger, Stefanie, Khandoga, Alexander G, Li, Hang, Butz, Stefan, Jauch, Karl-Walter, Vestweber, Dietmar, Krombach, Fritz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cell Adhesion Molecules - deficiency; Cell Adhesion Molecules - genetics; Cell Adhesion Molecules - physiology; Cell injury; Crosses, Genetic; Endothelial cells; Endothelial tight junctions; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Female; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Granulocytes - enzymology; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - physiopathology; Ischemia-reperfusion; Leukocyte Common Antigens - analysis; Leukocyte Count; Leukocyte diapedesis; Liver - physiopathology; Liver Circulation - physiology; Liver Diseases - blood; Liver Diseases - physiopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Microcirculation - physiology; Naphthol AS D Esterase - blood; Neutrophils; Sinusoidal perfusion failure; T-cells; Vascular leakage
• ISSN: 0168-8278; 1600-0641
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2008.11.027

Background/Aims This study was designed to investigate the role of endothelial cell-selective adhesion molecule (ESAM), a recently discovered receptor expressed in endothelial tight junctions and platelets, for leukocyte migration in inflamed liver. Methods The role of ESAM for leukocyte migration in the liver was analyzed using ESAM-deficient mice in a model of warm hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (90 min/30–360 min). Results As shown by immunostaining, ESAM is expressed in sinusoids as well as in venules and is not upregulated upon I/R. Emigrated leukocytes were quantified in tissue sections. Postischemic neutrophil transmigration was significantly attenuated in ESAM−/− mice after 2 h of reperfusion, whereas it was completely restored after 6 h. In contrast, T-cell migration did not differ between ESAM+/+ and ESAM−/− mice. Using intravital microscopy, we demonstrate that ESAM deficiency attenuates I/R-induced vascular leakage after 30 min of reperfusion. The I/R-induced elevation in AST/ALT activity, the sinusoidal perfusion failure, and the number of TUNEL-positive hepatocytes were comparable between ESAM+/+ and ESAM−/− mice. Conclusions ESAM is expressed in the postischemic liver and mediates neutrophil but not T-cell transmigration during early reperfusion. ESAM deficiency attenuates I/R-induced vascular leakage and does not affect leukocyte adherence. Despite the effect on neutrophil migration, ESAM-deficiency does not protect from I/R-induced injury.