C A West1, C He, A J Young, M Su, T Zhao, S J Swanson, S J Mentzer. 1. Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Surgical Research Laboratories, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston MA 02115, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In cutaneous lymphocytic inflammation, enhanced regional blood flow is suggested by persistent erythema and warmth. Direct assessment of the microcirculation, however, has been limited by tissue edema and skin thickness. METHODS: To assess the microcirculatory adaptations to the epicutaneous antigen oxazolone, we studied the first pass kinetics and microvascular topography of the inflammatory skin microcirculation using a specially adapted epi-illumination intravital microscopy system. The fluorescence intravital videomicroscopy and streaming image acquisition of fluorescein-labeled dextran (approximately 500,000 MW) injections were used to assess changes in plasma flow. RESULTS: Direct plasma tracer injections of both the oxazolone-stimulated and control microcirculation demonstrated comparable transit times (leading edge and intensity-weighted peak times) from the carotid artery to the superficial vascular plexus (p > 0.05). In contrast to transit times, continuous infusion of the plasma tracer demonstrated a significant increase in the delivery of the fluorescein-labeled dextran to the oxazolone-stimulated microcirculation. Quantitative morphometry of intravital microscopic images demonstrated a 2.2-fold increase in the mean diameter of vessels in the superficial vascular plexus (p < 0.01). Further, fluorescence intensity mapping indicated that the increase was associated with increased perfusion of focal regions of the superficial vascular plexus (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the oxazolone-stimulated adaptations of the inflammatory microcirculation include both microvascular dilatation and the redistribution of plasma flow.
INTRODUCTION: In cutaneous lymphocytic inflammation, enhanced regional blood flow is suggested by persistent erythema and warmth. Direct assessment of the microcirculation, however, has been limited by tissue edema and skin thickness. METHODS: To assess the microcirculatory adaptations to the epicutaneous antigen oxazolone, we studied the first pass kinetics and microvascular topography of the inflammatory skin microcirculation using a specially adapted epi-illumination intravital microscopy system. The fluorescence intravital videomicroscopy and streaming image acquisition of fluorescein-labeled dextran (approximately 500,000 MW) injections were used to assess changes in plasma flow. RESULTS: Direct plasma tracer injections of both the oxazolone-stimulated and control microcirculation demonstrated comparable transit times (leading edge and intensity-weighted peak times) from the carotid artery to the superficial vascular plexus (p > 0.05). In contrast to transit times, continuous infusion of the plasma tracer demonstrated a significant increase in the delivery of the fluorescein-labeled dextran to the oxazolone-stimulated microcirculation. Quantitative morphometry of intravital microscopic images demonstrated a 2.2-fold increase in the mean diameter of vessels in the superficial vascular plexus (p < 0.01). Further, fluorescence intensity mapping indicated that the increase was associated with increased perfusion of focal regions of the superficial vascular plexus (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the oxazolone-stimulated adaptations of the inflammatory microcirculation include both microvascular dilatation and the redistribution of plasma flow.
Authors: Timothy W Secomb; Moritz A Konerding; Charles A West; Mei Su; Alan J Young; Steven J Mentzer Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2003-06-02 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Dino J Ravnic; Moritz A Konerding; Akira Tsuda; Harold T Huss; Tanja Wolloscheck; Juan P Pratt; Steven J Mentzer Journal: Gut Date: 2006-11-17 Impact factor: 23.059