Radiation enteropathy and leucocyte-endothelial cell reactions in a refined small bowel model.

Background: Leucocyte recruitment and inflammation are key features of high dose radiation-induced tissue injury. The inflammatory response in the gut may be more pronounced following radiotherapy due to its high bacterial load in comparison to the response in other organs. We designed a model to enable us to study the effects of radiation on leucocyte-endothelium interactions and on intestinal microflora in the murine ileum.

Fundamental and distinct roles of P-selectin and LFA-1 in ischemia/reperfusion-induced leukocyte-endothelium interactions in the mouse colon.

Objective: To study the adhesive mechanisms underlying ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced leukocyte-endothelium interactions in the colon.

Summary Background Data: Leukocyte recruitment is a key feature in I/R-induced tissue injury, but the mechanisms regulating leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the colon are not known. The authors recently developed a new model to study the molecular mechanisms of I/R-provoked leukocyte-endothelium interactions in the colon microcirculation using inverted intravital fluorescence microscopy.

Leukocyte rolling is exclusively mediated by P-selectinin colonic venules.

1. The objective of the present study was to examine the role of the endothelial selectins (i.e.