Abstract:
Background:
To investigate the interdependent effects of shear stress and different leukocyte subpopulations on endothelial cell activation and cell interactions during low flow and reperfusion.
Methods:
Using a flow chamber, human venous endothelial cells were co-cultured with either polymorphonuclear neutrophils or monocytes under different shear stress and adhesion was quantified by microscopy. Effects of adhesion on endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression were analyzed by flow cytometry after 4 h static co-incubation. Consequences on secondary adhesion during reperfusion were examined by reperfusion the co-cultures with labelled neutrophils at normalized shear stress of 2 dyne/cm². For comparison endothelium monocultures with and without lipopolysaccharide activation were used.
Results/Conclusions:
Under normal shear stress endothelial activation with lipopolysaccharide was mandatory for leukocyte adhesion. Decreasing shear stress to 0,25 dyne/cm² induced similar adhesion even without additional activation. Adhesion of monocytes increased the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules whereas adhesion of neutrophils did not. Adhesion of monocytes on non-activated endothelium increased secondary neutrophil adhesion whereas pretreatment with neutrophils had no effect. Compromised flow is an autonomous trigger of leukocyte adhesion even in the absence of an additional activator. Exceeding this immediate effect, adherent monocytes initiate further endothelial activation with largely increased neutrophil adhesion during reperfusion.