CD18-independent neutrophil and mononuclear leukocyte emigration into the peritoneum of rabbits

The CD18 mAb 60.3 and the CD49d mAb HP1/2 were given at the time of intraperitoneal instillation of either protease peptone or live Escherichia coli bacteria and at 12 h. Leukocyte emigration was evaluated at 4 and 24 h. PMN emigration 4 h after protease peptone instillation and injection of both mAbs was 10% of that in saline treatment. It was 15% of that in saline treatment after mAb 60.3 alone and unchanged by mAb HP1/2. At 24 h PMN emigration in response to protease peptone was not prevented by either CD18 or CD49d mAbs, however, when given together emigration was 10% of saline-treated animals. Mononuclear cell emigration to protease peptone was enhanced at 4 h by both CD18 and CD49d mAbs. The CD18 mAb did not augment mononuclear emigration in response to live bacteria. At 24 h, neither the CD18 nor the CD49d mAb alone blocked emigration of mononuclear cells, but the combination of the two did. These studies demonstrate that: (a) early (4 h) PMN emigration is CD11/CD18 dependent; (b) late (24 h) PMN emigration is CD11/CD18 independent; and (c) mononuclear cells utilize the integrins CD18 and CD49d.