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Expression of E-selectin, P-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 during experimental murine listeriosis
1Department of Pathology, Veterinary School, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain. santiago.lopez@cc.uab.es
Insights
Adhesion molecules P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are upregulated during experimental murine listeriosis. Their expression in inflamed tissues suggests a role in recruiting immune cells to organs like the liver, spleen, and central nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pathology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Experimental murine listeriosis involves complex immune responses.
- Adhesion molecules play a critical role in immune cell trafficking during infection.
- Understanding the dynamics of adhesion molecule expression is key to deciphering host-pathogen interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal expression of E-selectin, P-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) during experimental murine listeriosis.
- To correlate adhesion molecule expression with inflammatory lesions in various organs.
- To elucidate the potential role of these molecules in leukocyte recruitment to sites of infection.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect E-selectin, P-selectin, and ICAM-1 expression.
- Microbiological counts assessed infection levels in blood, liver, and spleen.
- Histopathological examination identified lesions in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and central nervous system.
Main Results:
- P-selectin and ICAM-1 showed early generalized expression, followed by localized upregulation at inflammatory sites.
- E-selectin expression was weak and inconsistent across organs.
- Specific patterns of ICAM-1 and P-selectin expression were observed in the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and central nervous system, correlating with inflammatory lesions.
Conclusions:
- Upregulation of P-selectin and ICAM-1 is a significant feature of experimental murine listeriosis.
- These adhesion molecules are likely involved in the recruitment of leukocytes to the liver, lymphoid organs, and central nervous system.
- The findings provide insights into the inflammatory mechanisms underlying listeriosis, particularly in the central nervous system.
Abstract:
The expression of adhesion molecules E-selectin, P-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was immunohistochemically investigated during the course of experimental murine listeriosis. Infection was monitored by microbiological count of blood, liver, and spleen. After an early generalized expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1, a later regulation occurred specifically to areas of inflammation. Expression of E-selectin was faint and inconstantly detected in all of the studied organs. In the liver, typical lesions of murine listeriosis were related to the expression of ICAM-1 on sinusoidal endothelial cells and the biliary system and to the de novo expression of P-selectin in hepatic portal vessels. Inflammation in the spleen was related to the expression of ICAM-1 on red pulp sinusoidal cells, especially in the marginal sinus. High endothelial venules of inflamed lymph nodes also expressed P-selectin and ICAM-1. Lesions in the central nervous system appeared on day 3 after infection as a pyogranulomatous leptomeningitis associated with an intense expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1 in meningeal vessels, especially those in the hippocampal sulcus, suggesting a way through which inflammation initially reach the central nervous system during experimental murine listeriosis. Leptomeningitis was followed by the presence of ventriculitis, which was related to the up-regulation of ICAM-1 on choroid plexus epithelial cells, periventricular vessels and ependymal cells. Up-regulation of P-selectin and ICAM-1 during experimental murine listeriosis could play an important role in the recruitment of leukocytes, especially to the liver, lymphoid organs, and central nervous system.