Lack of CD34 delays bacterial endotoxin-induced lung inflammation

Background CD34, a pan-selectin binding protein when glycosylated, has been shown to be involved in leukocyte migration to the site of inflammation. However, only one report is available on the expression and role of CD34 in neutrophil recruitment during acute lung inflammation. Methods We proceeded to study the role of CD34 in lung neutrophil migration using mouse model of endotoxin induced acute lung inflammation and studied over multiple time points, in generic CD34 knock-out (KO) strain. Results While there was no difference in BAL total or differential leukocyte counts, lung MPO content was lower in LPS exposed KO compared to WT group at 3 h time-point (p = 0.0308). The MPO levels in CD34 KO mice begin to rise at 9 h (p = 0.0021), as opposed to an early 3 h rise in WT mice (p = 0.0001), indicating that KO mice display delays in lung neutrophil recruitment kinetics. KO mice do not loose endotoxin induced lung vascular barrier properties as suggested by lower BAL total protein at 3 h (p = 0.0452) and 24 h (p = 0.0113) time-points. Several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, KC, MIP-1 alpha, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 p70 sub-unit; p < 0.05) had higher levels in WT compared to KO group, at 3 h. Lung immunofluorescence in healthy WT mice reveals CD34 expression in the bronchiolar epithelium, in addition to alveolar septa. Conclusion Thus, given CD34 ' s pan-selectin affinity, and expression in the bronchiolar epithelium as well as alveolar septa, our study points towards a role of CD34 in lung neutrophil recruitment but not alveolar migration, cytokine expression and lung inflammation.

Automated summary

The study explored the role of CD34 in lung neutrophil migration during acute lung inflammation, finding delays in recruitment kinetics in CD34 knock-out mice. The knock-out mice maintained lung vascular barrier properties and had lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines compared to the wild-type mice. However, CD34 expression in the bronchiolar epithelium and alveolar septa suggests a role in lung neutrophil recruitment but not alveolar migration, cytokine expression, and lung inflammation.