Immune cell recruitment to inflammatory loci is impaired in mice deficient in basement membrane protein laminin alpha4

J Leukoc Biol. 2010 Sep;88(3):523-8. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0110043. Epub 2010 May 18.

Abstract

For leukocytes to penetrate the vessel wall, they need to interact sequentially with the endothelial lining and the perivascular BM. The matrix protein laminin-411 is a major constituent of the vascular BM. The laminin alpha4 chain is a component of laminin-411 and has structural and signaling functions. Here, we addressed the role of BM laminin alpha4 in leukocyte recruitment to inflammatory loci. We used several recruitment models in Lam4(-/-) and WT mice to determine whether lack of laminin-411 in the perivascular BM influences extravasation of inflammatory cells. Recruitment of all major leukocyte subsets (neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes) was reduced in Lam4(-/-) mice compared with WT. With the use of intravital microscopy, we concluded that this decrease was a result of impaired diapedesis through the vessel wall, as neither leukocyte adhesion to the endothelial lining nor migration in extravascular tissue was hampered in Lam4(-/-) mice. Collectively, our data suggest a reduced ability of immune cells to penetrate the vessel wall in mice deficient in laminin alpha4.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basement Membrane / metabolism*
  • Basement Membrane / pathology
  • Blood Vessels / cytology
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Movement*
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Laminin / deficiency*
  • Laminin / metabolism
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Leukocytes / cytology*
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Transport

Substances

  • Lama4 protein, mouse
  • Laminin
  • Protein Isoforms
  • laminin alpha5