Radiation-induced platelet-endothelial cell interactions are mediated by P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 in the colonic microcirculation.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet reagents have been reported to protect against intestinal damage associated with abdominal radiotherapy, but the mechanisms behind radiation-induced platelet-endothelium interactions are not known. We sought to define the adhesive mechanisms that regulate radiotherapy-induced platelet-endothelial cell interactions in the colon.

METHODS: All mice except the controls were exposed to abdominal radiation with a single dose of 20 Gray. Mice were pretreated with an isotype-matched control antibody or a monoclonal antibody directed against either P-selectin or P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). Platelet and leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the colon were determined by use of inverted intravital fluorescence microscopy 16 hours after radiation. Radiation-induced intestinal leakage of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated dextran was examined in separate experiments.

RESULTS: Immunoneutralization of P-selectin decreased radiation-provoked platelet rolling by 87% and adhesion by 63%. Moreover, inhibition of PSGL-1 decreased platelet rolling and adhesion by 77% and 83%, respectively, in animals exposed to radiation. Similarly, inhibition of P-selectin and PSGL-1 decreased radiation-induced leukocyte rolling and adhesion by more than 84% and 90%, respectively, in the colon. In contrast, inhibition of P-selectin or PSGL-1 had no impact on radiation-induced intestinal leakage. In addition, systemic depletion of platelets and leukocytes did not affect intestinal barrier dysfunction in radiated animals.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that radiation-provoked platelet and leukocyte accumulation are mediated in part by P-selectin and PSGL-1. Radiation-induced gut leakage, however, is independent of accumulation of platelets and leukocytes in the intestinal microvasculature.