Role of P-selectin and leukocyte activation in polymorphonuclear cell adhesion to surface adherent activated platelets under physiologic shear conditions (an injury vessel wall model)

Carbohydrate moieties on leukocytes adhere to activated platelets via P- selectin under static binding condition studies. We characterize polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) surface interactions with surface adherent platelets and the PMNs response, under physiologic flow conditions corresponding to a shear of 100 s-1, in an in vitro flow chamber. Fluorescent labeled PMNs with red blood cells were drawn through a transparent flow channel and visually quantitated over 30 minutes, interacting with a confluent monolayer of activated, shear-spread platelets expressing P-selectin. PMN adhesion was saturable (2,250 +/- 350/mm2), and time and cation (Ca2+, Mg2+) dependent, and PMNs did not bind to the experimental surface in the absence of a platelet monolayer. P-selectin antibodies completely abolished PMN adhesion in a concentration-dependent manner with half inhibition at 70 micrograms/mL. Antibodies to a putative P-selectin receptor CD15 (80H5 and MMA) maximally inhibited PMN adhesion by 73% and 10%, respectively. Adherent PMNs appeared morphologically activated and flow cytometric analysis of adherent PMNs confirmed activation because CD11b and CD18 surface expression was upregulated (100% and 27%, respectively), whereas L-selectin was downregulated (55%) compared with control nonadherent PMNs. In the presence of the metabolic inhibitor sodium azide (0.02% and 0.1%) there was a 23% +/- 9% and 51% +/- 3% decrease, respectively, in PMN adhesion at 100 s-1. Thus, P-selectin is required for PMN adhesion to a pathophysiologic surface of activated adherent platelets at physiologic shear rates. Furthermore, a secondary step involving PMN activation after platelet binding appears necessary for complete (irreversible) adhesion to occur. This unique flow cell provides a model to explore, under controlled conditions, biologic mechanisms and ligands involved in leukocyte-platelet binding that play important roles in PMN localization at sites of thrombosis and vascular injury.