Live imaging of platelets and neutrophils during antibody-mediated neurovascular thrombosis

Immune complexes form in systemic disorders such as rheumatological, autoimmune, and allergic diseases, or in response to infections or medications. SARS-CoV-2 adenoviral vector vaccines have been associated with rare, yet serious thrombotic complications in the brain due to the formation of immune complexes that activate platelets. There is currently no data visualizing the interplay of platelets with leukocytes and the brain vasculature endothelium in response to immune complexes. This is in part due to the absence of FcγRIIA in mice, a receptor for immune complexes implicated in these thrombotic incidents. Here, we describe and illustrate events at the cellular level that take place in the brain vasculature in response to systemic administration of surrogate immune complexes. We utilized Ly6gCre+/-::Rosa26-TdT+/-::CD41-YFP+/- mice expressing the FcγRIIA transgene and fluorescence in neutrophils and platelets. Using real-time videomicroscopy to capture high velocity events in conjunction with unbiased computer assisted analyses, we provide images and quantifications of the cellular responses downstream FcγRIIA stimulation. We observed transient and stable platelet-neutrophil interactions, platelets forming thrombi, and neutrophil adhesion to blood vessel walls. This imaging approach in a quadruple transgenic animal model can be utilized for the study of the pathogenic roles of immune complexes in disease.