On leukocyte recruitment in colonic ischemia-reperfusion

Leukocyte recruitment is a rate-limiting step in inflammatory disease. Tissue accumulation of leukocytes is a multi-step process comprising leukocyte rolling, adhesion and transmigration across the vascular endothelium. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the mechanisms underlying ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in the colon. For this purpose, intravital microscopy of the colonic microcirculation was adopted. It was found that CXC chemokine and I/R-induced leukocyte recruitment in
postcapillary venules is primarily mediated by PSGL-1 and P- but not E-selectin. Moreover, it was found that
mast cells exert a dual function in CXC chemokine and I/R-provoked colonic leukocyte recruitment. On one hand, upstream chemokines trigger leukocyte recruitment via local mast cells and on the other hand, mast cells
regulate downstream formation of chemokines, which in turn provoke leukocyte recruitment. SB 239063, a
selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, has been implicated to exert a protective effect in I/R-induced tissue injury.
Herein, it was found that SB 239063 protected against I/R-induced leukocyte recruitment and mast cellgenerated
TNF-α-provoked P-selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion. Interference with Rho-kinase signalling in I/R-induced tissue injury has indicated beneficial effects in decreasing leukocyte recruitment and proinflammatory
mediators. Fasudil and Y27632, selective Rho-kinase inhibitors, were found to decrease colonic
leukocyte recruitment, CXC chemokine and TNF-α formation and the production of oxidative stress metabolites. This thesis identifies fundamental mechanisms regulating colonic I/R-generated leukocyte recruitment, which may help to understand the pathophysiology of inflammatory disease and be of assistance in developing more specific therapies in the future.