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Interactions of neutrophils with silver-coated vascular polyester grafts
Joerg Tautenhahn1, Frank Meyer, Thomas Buerger
1Department of General, Abdominal, and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany. joerg.tautenhahn@med.ovgu.de
Background:
In reconstructive vascular surgery, infection is one of the most feared complications because of the high mortality. While the antimicrobial effect of a silver-coated endoprosthesis has been proven in experimental trials, there are no reports on its interactions with granulocytes, the first effector cells in general inflammation and in infection.
Materials And Methods:
Therefore, we investigated whether silver coating of vascular polyester grafts affects receptor expression, mediator release, and functions of human neutrophils relevant for microbicidal activity and the wound-healing process. Naïve neutrophils were analyzed for their cellular receptors such as cluster of differentiation (CD)62L, CD11b, CXCR2, and fMLP-R, the mediators interleukin 8, granulocyte elastase (human neutrophil elastase), and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) as well as for microbicidal capacity (oxidative burst) in vitro. In addition, the role of plasma coating for receptor expression was addressed.
Results:
There was both a decrease of CD62L and CXCR2 expression and an increase of CD11b, fMLP-R expression, elastase release, and LTB4 generation, which were statistically significant (p = 0.04; p = 0.01; p = 0.0; p = 0.0; p = 0.01; p = 0.02, respectively) in the presence of the silver-coated graft compared with non-silver-coated vascular grafts. In addition, microbicidal activity was significantly (p = 0.0) impaired by the silver-coated graft. Coating of the vascular grafts with plasma did not alter the former observations significantly.
Conclusion:
The results may indicate that silver-coated vascular polyester grafts activate neutrophils chronically which may favor tissue destruction and impaired antimicrobial effects.
Insights
Silver-coated vascular grafts may impair neutrophil function, potentially leading to tissue damage and reduced antimicrobial defense in reconstructive surgery. This chronic activation of neutrophils by silver coatings warrants further investigation for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Infection is a major complication in reconstructive vascular surgery, with high mortality rates.
- Silver-coated endoprostheses show antimicrobial effects, but their interaction with neutrophils is unknown.
- Neutrophils are key effector cells in inflammation and infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of silver coating on vascular polyester grafts on human neutrophil function.
- To assess changes in receptor expression, mediator release, and microbicidal activity.
- To determine the role of plasma coating in these interactions.
Main Methods:
- Human neutrophils were analyzed for receptor expression (CD62L, CD11b, CXCR2, fMLP-R) and mediator release (interleukin 8, elastase, leukotriene B4).
- Microbicidal capacity (oxidative burst) was assessed in vitro.
- Comparisons were made between silver-coated and non-silver-coated grafts, with and without plasma coating.
Main Results:
- Silver-coated grafts significantly decreased CD62L and CXCR2 expression but increased CD11b and fMLP-R expression.
- Elastase release and leukotriene B4 generation were significantly increased by silver-coated grafts.
- Microbicidal activity was significantly impaired by silver-coated grafts; plasma coating had no significant effect.
Conclusions:
- Silver-coated vascular polyester grafts may lead to chronic neutrophil activation.
- This chronic activation could promote tissue destruction and compromise antimicrobial effects.
- Findings suggest potential adverse effects of silver coatings on neutrophil-mediated immunity in vascular surgery.
