Lymphocyte subsets and adhesion molecules in cutaneous inflammation induced by inflammatory agonists: correlation between E-selectin and gamma delta TcR+ lymphocytes.

Kinetic and phenotypic heterogeneity in leukocyte subsets and adhesion-molecule expression is characteristic of many inflammatory conditions. We have studied the effect of various cytokines and inflammatory agonists on the type of leukocyte present and the adhesion molecules expressed in acute lesions (up to 3 days old) in porcine skin by immunohistology. Four major histocompatability complex-homozygous inbred pigs received replicate intradermal injections of IL-1 alpha, TNF-alpha, PMA, or PHA. Injections were timed so that lesions were obtained at 2, 4, 9, and 24 hours. Another two animals were studied at time points up to 72 hours. Leukocyte subsets and endothelial adhesion molecules were visualized on cryosections by use of monoclonal antibodies and alkaline phosphatase immunohistologic techniques. Substantial heterogeneity in leukocyte phenotypes was observed with all agonists, with lymphocyte subsets showing the greatest variation. Thus, CD2+ and gamma delta TcR+ (Null) T lymphocytes were present in all lesions, but to a varying extent such that few T cells were seen after PMA injection, approximately equal proportions of each after TNF-alpha, but substantially more gamma delta TcR+ (Null) lymphocytes were noted after PHA administration. Endothelial adhesion molecules were also variously affected, with E-selectin (CD62E) being transiently up-regulated by IL-1 alpha but CD62E showed early and sustained expression after TNF-alpha and PHA administration. The E-selectin ligand was demonstrated on infiltrating gamma delta TcR+ lymphocytes by use of a recombinant porcine E-selectin. The L-selectin ligand, identified by the mAb MECA-79, was only observed in late acute sites (< 24 hours) of TNF-alpha and PHA. Endothelial expression of class II major histocompatability complex was also variously up-regulated by all agonists. The results underline the heterogeneity of leukocyte phenotypes and endothelial adhesion molecule expression in acute cutaneous lesions dependent upon the nature of the inflammatory agonist and indicate an association between endothelial E-selectin and the presence of a gamma delta TcR+ (Null) T lymphocyte subset.