Regulation of Leukocyte Recruitment by Local Wall Shear Rate and Leukocyte Delivery

Abstract

Leukocytes are delivered to venules in excess of the capacity of the local endothelium to support interactions. Elevated shear forces increase leukocyte recruitment to the vessel wall, which correlates to elevated rolling flux. In contrast, leukocyte firm adhesion is primarily affected by the activation state of the tissue and not by hemodynamic factors. Overall, the capacity of endothelial cells to support leukocyte interactions primarily regulates leukocyte recruitment and is not limited by leukocyte supply.