ARS | Publication request: Platelets enhance neutrophil transendothelial migration

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 23, 2009
Publication Date: April 23, 2009
Citation: Lam, F., Burns, A., Smith, C.W., Rumbaut, R. 2009. Platelets enhace neutrophil transendothelial migration [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 23:762.18.

Technical Abstract: Platelets are increasingly recognized as important mediators of inflammation in addition to thrombosis. While platelets have been shown to promote neutrophil (PMN) adhesion to endothelium in various inflammatory models, it is unclear whether platelets enhance neutrophil transmigration across inflamed endothelium. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of platelets on PMN transendothelial migration both in vitro and in vivo, using interleukin-1 ß-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and a well-characterized corneal injury model in C57BL/6 mice. In the HUVEC model, PMN in the presence of platelets demonstrated enhanced transendothelial migration under stationary conditions (% transmigration at 500 sec was 57 +/- 6% vs. 33 +/- 5%; p < 0.01). Further, in a parallel-plate chamber under physiological flow conditions, platelets increased the speed of PMN transmigration following firm adhesion (duration of transmigration was 34.4 +/- 2.7 vs. 51.4 +/- 2.9 sec; p < 0.01). In vivo, platelet depletion reduced neutrophil emigration from limbal vessels 60 minutes after injury (280 +/- 12 vs. 513 +/- 44 PMN; p < 0.05). These data support the notion that platelets enhance neutrophil migration across inflamed endothelium both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated.