Neutrophil activation and tissue neutrophil sequestration in a rat model of thermal injury

Neutrophil (PMN) deposition in tissues (leukosequestration) after shock may produce local tissue injury from proteases and oxygen intermediaries which are released from sequestered PMNs. We quantified leukosequestration in tissues in burned rats using two methods of analysis: 1), measurement of lung myeloperoxidase (MPO); 2), measurement of radiolabeled PMNs and erythrocytes deposited in multiple tissues. After tracheostomy and venous cannulation, rats received 17% TBSA full-thickness contact burns and were resuscitated with 20 cc intraperitoneal saline. Lung PMNs were estimated by measuring MPO in lung tissue. PMN influx into lung, liver, spleen, gut, skin, muscle, kidney, and brain was determined by removing (preburn) and differentially radiolabeling PMNs (111In) and erythrocytes (51Cr), reinfusing cells 4.5 hr postburn, and measuring tissue radioactivity 5 hr postburn. Tissue edema was measured by determining extravasation of 125I-labeled albumin in tissues. Peripheral blood PMNs were analyzed for intracellular H2O2 content utilizing a fluorescent dye which reacts with H2O2 coupled with analysis of cell fluorescence by flow cytometry. MPO was elevated in lungs 8 hr postburn (P < 0.05). PMN influx into lung tissues was confirmed by histologic examination. Radioisotope studies demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) leukosequestration into lung, gut, kidney, skin, and brain tissues at 5 hr postburn. Respiratory burst activity of peripheral blood PMNs was increased 5 hr postburn (P < 0.05). Flow cytometric analysis indicated that peripheral blood PMNs were capable of producing markedly increased H2O2 levels 5 hr postburn. Tissue edema, manifested by radiolabeled albumin influx, was not seen in any tissues. Since others have shown that sequestration of metabolically active PMNs may induce remote tissue injury, therapies which block postburn leukosequestration may be able to improve clinical outcomes by limiting remote tissue injury.