Background/aims: Previous studies indicate that a water extract of Helicobacter pylori (HPE) can promote neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions in vivo and in vitro. The objectives of this study were to assess whether HPE alters the rate of albumin leakage in rat mesenteric venules and identify the factors that mediate the HPE-induced microvascular dysfunction.
Methods: Intravital microscopy was used to continuously monitor leukocyte adherence and emigration and albumin leakage in rat mesenteric venules during superfusion with HPE.
Results: HPE increased leukocyte adherence and emigration and microvascular albumin leakage. The enhanced albumin leak could be subdivided into two components: an early (within 10 minutes) and a later (within 30 minutes) phase. HPE also elicited perivenular mast cell degranulation and the formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates within post-capillary venules. The HPE-induced early phase of albumin leakage was attenuated by pretreatment with a mast cell stabilizer. The HPE-induced late phase of albumin leakage was reduced by monoclonal antibodies directed against either CD11b/CD18 or intercellular adhesion molecule 1. A monoclonal antibody against P-selectin also inhibited the HPE-induced platelet-leukocyte aggregation and reduced the later phase of albumin leak.
Conclusions: HPE-induced microvascular dysfunction appears to be a consequence of interstitial and intravascular cell-cell interactions.