Intrauterine Undernutrition in Rats Interferes with Leukocyte Migration, Decreasing Adhesion Molecule Expression in Leukocytes and Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Experimental and epidemiologic data have shown that malnutrition predisposes individuals to infections. Immune responses are compromised, particularly in undernourished children. Therefore, we investigated the migratory capacity of leukocytes, using the intravital microscopy technique, in male Wistar rats (8-9 wk of age) that were undernourished in utero after their dams were fed 50% less food than the amount consumed by control dams. The number of leukocytes rolling along the venular endothelium, sticking after stimulation with leukotriene B4, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or zymosan-activated plasma, or migrating after TNF-alpha stimulation was significantly reduced in the undernourished rat offspring. Compared with nourished rat offspring, undernourished offspring had significantly reduced numbers of circulating leukocytes, higher blood pressure, and higher leukocyte rolling velocity (V(WBC)), as well as a higher ratio between V(WBC) and RBC velocity (V(RBC)). Endothelial P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression, analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and basal leukocyte L-selectin expression, analyzed by flow cytometry, were significantly reduced in the undernourished rat offspring. Because the groups did not differ in leukocyte CD11/18 expression, endothelial expression of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, or venular blood flow velocity and, consequently, venular shear rate, we conclude that intrauterine undernutrition in rats reduces leukocyte migration, downregulates endothelial expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1, as well as leukocyte expression of L-selectin, while reducing leukocyte counts. The higher V(WBC) and V(WBC)/V(RBC) ratio may also play a role in this reduced leukocyte migration. Our data suggest that this phenomenon is involved in the increased predisposition to infections in undernourished subjects.

Moderate Physical Training Attenuates the Effects of Perinatal Undernutrition on the Morphometry of the Splenic Lymphoid Follicles in Endotoxemic Adult Rats

“…All of the groups showed neutrophilia and lymphopenia, but in pups from undernourished mothers, these responses were more pronounced when compared with animals of the C + LPS and LP +T + LPS groups. These observations are in accordance with previous studies which demonstrate a downregulation of the response to the acute phase of sepsis in perinatal undernourished rats [28,29] . Parameters such as plasma corticosterone and release of inflammatory mediators are involved in leukocyte migration and can be affected by perinatal undernutrition [15] .…”

Effects of Climate Change on Arctic Marine Mammal Health

“…For some species this will be a negative change; for others, it may be positive, depending on how generalized or specific they are in their feeding habits and how dependent they are on the sea ice platforms. Food depletion and stress are well-known causes of immune suppression in humans, laboratory rodents, and terrestrial mammals (Seth and Boetra 1986, Beck et al 2004, Cunningham-Rundles et al 2005, Landgraf et al 2005. Although the effects of food depletion and stress on marine mammal immune responses have not been well investigated, the few data available suggest marine mammal immunity is affected by similar factors as that of terrestrial mammals.…”

Effects of Fetal Programming in the Inflammatory Response in Wistar Rats: A Systematic Review

“…Low weight at birth has been verified in these litters (Franco et al, 2002;Falkner, 2002;Landgraf et al, 2005), When maternal diet is restricted, the nutrients availability for transplacental transport is decreased, thus reducing the nutrients supplying the fetus and limiting its growth (Holemans et al, 2003).…”

“…These responses may be due to deficiencies in the leukocyte-endothelium interactions, mainly in the pavementing process, as the malnourished animals had lower ICAM-1 (intercellular-adhesionmolecules) expression. On the studies of Landgraf et al (2005) intrauterine malnutrition caused a significant reduction in the ICAM-1, P-Selectin and L-Selectin -as Leucopenia. reduction in ICAM-1.…”