The Shwartzman response: a model of ICAM-1 dependent vasculitis

The local Shwartzman response was produced in rabbits by the intradermal injection of endotoxin, followed 24 h later by intravenous zymosan. Hemorrhagic lesions developed in the prepared skin sites. We quantitated the Shwartzman-induced hemorrhage with autologous 99mTc-erythrocytes. We show that the development of the Shwartzman response depends on both leukocyte membrane CD18 glycoprotein activity as well as the participation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). We discuss the possibility that the common property shared by the agents capable of preparing the skin for the Shwartzman response is the ability to induce ICAM-1 expression.