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Updated: Oct 18, 2026

A Microphysiological System to Study Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Interaction during Inflammation
Published on: December 9, 2021
Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid combinations increase transmigration of leucocytes through endothelial cell monolayers:
R Hofbauer1, D Moser, B Gmeiner
1Department of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University of Vienna, Austria. roland.hofbauer@akh-wien.ac.at
Abstract:
Postoperative inflammation is still viewed as an unresolved problem. During inflammation, leucocytes play a tremendous role and migrate from intravascular spaces into the tissue to attack microorganisms. Different agents, e.g. anaesthetic drugs, are able to influence leucocyte recruitment. Previous studies have investigated the influence of amoxycillin on chemotaxis of leucocytes alone. The aim of our study was to examine the effect of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) on leucocyte migration through endothelial cell monolayers (ECMs). Human umbilical endothelial cells were cultured on microporous membranes, achieving a monolayer. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil leucocytes (PMNLs) were used in a migration assay. The numbers of untreated PMNLs migrating through untreated ECMs were used as control and set as 100%. PMNLs and/or ECMs were pretreated with co-amoxiclav using clinically relevant as well as higher and lower concentrations. Co-amoxiclav was able to increase PMNL migration through ECMs significantly (P<0.05) when both cell types were treated (291+/-18.7%). When PMNLs or ECMs were treated alone, it could be shown that ECMs were more affected than PMNLs. The greatest effect was shown when both cell types, PMNLs and ECMs, were treated. In conclusion, co-amoxiclav was identified as a potent drug to increase leucocyte transmigration through ECMs. ECMs were also critically involved. Co-amoxiclav also affects endothelial cells.
Insights
The antibiotic amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) significantly increases polymorphonuclear neutrophil leucocyte (PMNL) migration through endothelial cell monolayers (ECMs). This effect is most pronounced when both PMNLs and ECMs are treated, highlighting co-amoxiclav
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Postoperative inflammation remains a significant clinical challenge.
- Leukocyte migration into tissues is a key inflammatory process.
- Agents like anesthetics can modulate leukocyte recruitment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) on leukocyte migration.
- To determine how co-amoxiclav influences polymorphonuclear neutrophil leucocyte (PMNL) transmigration through endothelial cell monolayers (ECMs).
Main Methods:
- Human umbilical endothelial cells were cultured to form monolayers (ECMs) on microporous membranes.
- A migration assay was performed using PMNLs.
- PMNLs and/or ECMs were pretreated with varying concentrations of co-amoxiclav.
Main Results:
- Co-amoxiclav significantly increased PMNL migration through ECMs (P<0.05) when both PMNLs and ECMs were treated (291+/-18.7%).
- Treatment of ECMs alone had a greater effect on migration than treatment of PMNLs alone.
- The most significant increase in transmigration occurred when both PMNLs and ECMs received co-amoxiclav treatment.
Conclusions:
- Co-amoxiclav is a potent agent that enhances leukocyte transmigration across endothelial cell monolayers.
- Endothelial cell monolayers play a critical role in co-amoxiclav's effect on leukocyte migration.
- Co-amoxiclav demonstrates an impact on endothelial cell function.
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