Butanol-extracted lipoteichoic acid induces in vivo leukocyte adhesion

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 364; no. 4; pp. 831 - 837
• Main Authors: Finney, Simon J., Anning, Peter B., Cao, Thong V., Perretti, Mauro, Evans, Timothy W., Burke-Gaffney, Anne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 28.12.2007
• Subjects: Animals; Butanols - chemistry; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; Cell Adhesion - physiology; Cells, Cultured; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gram negative bacteria; Gram positive bacteria; Leukocyte adhesion; Leukocytes - cytology; Leukocytes - drug effects; Leukocytes - physiology; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Lipopolysaccharides - administration & dosage; Lipopolysaccharides - isolation & purification; Lipoteichoic acid (LTA); Mice; Rats; Sepsis; Staphylococcus aureus - metabolism; Teichoic Acids - administration & dosage; Teichoic Acids - isolation & purification; Leukocyte adhesion; Sepsis; Lipoteichoic acid (LTA); Gram positive bacteria; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Gram negative bacteria
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.10.088

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), an immunostimulatory component of the cell walls of Gram positive bacteria, has pro-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. However, one in vivo study concluded that LTA had no noticeable effects on leukocyte recruitment. In this study we investigated the effects of highly purified LTA, prepared by butanol extraction (Bu-LTA) at room temperature, on in vivo leukocyte adhesion. Using intravital microscopy we measured adhesion of leukocytes in mesenteric post-capillary venules of rats and mice. Topical superfusion of Bu-LTA (1 μg/ml) in rats significantly ( p < 0.05) increased adhesion within 30 min. By contrast, hot phenol-extracted LTA did not increase adhesion. Alkaline hydrolysis of Bu-LTA removed alanine residues and prevented adhesion. Also, pre-administration of anti-rat β 2-integrin antibody abolished Bu-LTA-induced adhesion. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of Bu-LTA (100 μg/ml) into mice also significantly ( p < 0.01) increased leukocyte adhesion measured at 60 min. In conclusion, Bu-LTA with intact alanine residues promotes β 2-integrin-dependent leukocyte adhesion in vivo.