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A Microphysiological System to Study Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Interaction during Inflammation
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Effect of flow on polymorphonuclear leukocyte/endothelial cell adhesion

M B Lawrence1, L V McIntire, S G Eskin

  • 1Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251.

Blood
|November 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Flow significantly impacts polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) adhesion to endothelial cells. Higher shear stress reduces PMNL attachment to both stimulated and unstimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cellular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) play a crucial role in inflammatory responses.
  • Endothelial cells form the inner lining of blood vessels and are involved in regulating leukocyte interactions.
  • Understanding the dynamics of PMNL-endothelial cell adhesion under flow is vital for comprehending inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of fluid flow on the adhesion of PMNL to vascular endothelium.
  • To quantify PMNL adhesion to stimulated and unstimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) under varying shear stresses.
  • To compare PMNL adhesion to endothelial cells with adhesion to a non-biological surface.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a parallel plate chamber with a controlled flow field to simulate physiological conditions.
  • Washed PMNL were perfused over HUVEC monolayers pretreated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or interleukin-1 (IL-1).
  • Measured PMNL adhesion to HUVEC and a nylon-coated surface across a range of wall shear stresses (0.98 to 3.92 dynes/cm²).

Main Results:

  • PMNL adhesion to FMLP-treated HUVEC was significantly higher than to control HUVEC at lower shear stresses (0.98 and 1.96 dynes/cm²).
  • At higher shear stress (3.92 dynes/cm²), PMNL adherence decreased substantially on both control and FMLP-treated HUVEC.
  • IL-1 treated HUVEC showed markedly increased PMNL adhesion compared to controls at 1.96 dynes/cm², with adhesion dropping at 3.01 dynes/cm².

Conclusions:

  • Fluid flow is a critical determinant of PMNL adhesion to vascular endothelium.
  • The level of shear stress directly influences the extent of PMNL-endothelial cell interactions.
  • These findings highlight the importance of flow dynamics in the context of inflammatory cell recruitment.

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