Leukocyte dependence of platelet adhesion in postcapillary venules

Reperfusion of ischemic tissues results in development of a proinflammatory, prothrombogenic phenotype, culminating in the recruitment of leukocytes and platelets within postcapillary venules. Recent studies have indicated an interdependence of platelet and leukocyte adhesion, suggesting that heterotypic blood cell interactions may account for postischemic platelet recruitment. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine whether ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced platelet recruitment is leukocyte dependent and 2) quantify the contributions of leukocytes and endothelial cells in this platelet recruitment. Intravital microscopy was used to monitor the recruitment of fluorescently labeled platelets in postcapillary venules of the small intestine after 45-min ischemia and 4-h reperfusion. To assess the leukocyte dependence of platelet adhesion, platelets from wild-type mice were infused into mice deficient in neutrophils and/or lymphocytes and mice deficient in key leukocyte adhesion molecules (CD18 and ICAM-1). These antileukocyte strategies resulted in significantly reduced platelet recruitment. Simultaneous visualization of platelets and leukocytes enabled quantification of leukocyte-dependent and endothelium-dependent platelet adhesion. It was observed that in wild-type animals 74% of I/R-induced platelet adhesion was a result of platelet-leukocyte interactions. Although the majority of adherent platelets were associated with leukocytes, <50% of adherent leukocytes were platelet bearing, suggesting that not all adherent leukocytes support platelet adhesion. These results are consistent with leukocytes playing a major role in supporting I/R-induced platelet adhesion.