DEXTRAN SULFATE INHIBITS NEUTROPHIL EMIGRATION AND NEUTROPHIL-DEPENDENT PLASMA LEAKAGE IN RABBIT SKIN

Rolling of neutrophils in postcapillary venules is believed to be an o bligatory step in the adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells, pr eceding firm attachment and emigration. This rolling on the endothelia l surface can be blocked by sulphated polysaccharides. Therefore, dext ran sulphate or dextran T500 was injected intravenously (i.v., 25 mg/k g) and neutrophil infiltration and plasma leakage in skin were measure d in response to intradermal (i.d.) injection of inflammatory mediator s in the presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Neutrophi l accumulation and oedema formation induced by the neutrophil chemoatt ractants, f-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP) or C5adesArg, were completely suppresse d in the presence of dextran sulphate. Neutrophil emigration in respon se to interleukin-1 (IL-1) was not affected by dextran sulphate. These results suggest that neutrophil recruitment induced by FMLP and C5ade sArg, but not by IL-1, is mediated via sulphated glycans, perhaps on e ndothelial cells.