Differential Expression of E- and P-Selectin in the Microvasculature of Sickle Cell Transgenic Mice

Abstract

Objective:There is a growing body of evidence that endothelial cells assume an inflammatory phenotype in sickle cell disease. The authors determined whether (1) the expression of E- and P-selectin differs between sickle cell transgenic (β^S) mice and their wild-type counterparts, and (2) blood platelets and/or neutrophils contribute to the altered selectin expression. Methods:Expression of E- and P-selectin was measured in different regional vascular beds of wild-type and β^Smice (with or without thrombocytopenia or neutropenia) using the dual radiolabeled monoclonal antibody technique. Results:Constitutive expression of P-selectin was significantly increased in the heart, lungs, small bowel, large bowel, and penis of β^Sversus WT mice. While thrombocytopenia reduced P-selectin expression in the small bowel and penis of β^Smice, neutropenia was associated with a reduction in P-selectin expression only in the penis. E-selectin expression was not significantly elevated in any vascular bed except the penis of β^Smice. Conclusions:Sickle cell disease promotes an increased P-selectin expression in several vascular beds. An accumulation of platelets may explain the increased P-selectin expression observed in some vascular beds. Microcirculation(2004) 11,377–385. doi:10.1080/10739680490437559

• endothelial cell adhesion molecules
• leukocyte adhesion
• platelet adhesion
• selectins
• sickle cell disease