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Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Mechanisms involved in the reduced leukocyte migration in intrauterine undernourishment
Maristella A Landgraf1, Rita de C A Tostes, Primavera Borelli
1Laboratory of Hypertension and Inflammation, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. mvitta@usp.br
Insights
Intrauterine undernourishment in rats reduces leukocyte migration due to lower L-selectin expression and impaired leukotriene B4 production. These factors contribute to compromised immune cell movement in offspring.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Intrauterine undernourishment is linked to altered immune responses.
- Leukocyte migration is crucial for immune surveillance and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors contributing to reduced leukocyte migration in rats exposed to intrauterine undernourishment.
- To assess L-selectin expression, bone marrow cellularity, and inflammatory mediator production.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rat offspring from undernourished dams were analyzed for L-selectin expression, cell counts, and basal membrane components.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays measured leukotriene B4 production and corticosterone levels.
Main Results:
- Undernourished offspring exhibited reduced L-selectin expression and bone marrow cellularity.
- Type IV collagen in venule basal membranes was decreased, and leukotriene B4 production was lower.
- No significant differences in total protein, serum albumin, or corticosterone levels were observed.
Conclusions:
- Factors including reduced L-selectin expression and impaired leukotriene B4 production contribute to diminished leukocyte migration in intrauterine undernourishment.
- These findings highlight the impact of maternal nutrition on offspring immune cell function.
Objective:
We investigated factors that may be involved in the reduced leukocyte migration observed in intrauterine undernourished rats.
Methods:
Male Wistar rat offspring (8-9 wk of age) of dams fed during pregnancy with 50% less food than control dams were used to measure L-selectin expression (by flow cytometry), bone marrow cell count, blood cell count, laminin and type IV collagen in the basal membrane of venules of the spermatic fascia (by immunohistochemistry), total protein level and serum albumin, and the production of leukotriene B4 after stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha and corticosterone plasma levels (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).
Results:
Hypocellularity in bone marrow and peripheral blood and reduced L-selectin expression were found in the undernourished rat offspring (UR) compared with nourished offspring (NR; P < 0.05). Type IV collagen in the basal membrane of the venules of the spermatic fascia was less in UR than in NR (P < 0.05). The total protein levels and serum albumin did not differ between the two groups. Leukotriene B4 production after stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha was lower in UR (P < 0.05). These differences could not be attributed to circulating glucocorticoids levels, which were not different in the NR and UR groups.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that all observed differences contribute to reduced leukocyte migration in undernourishment.
