Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a rare pathology1 with a high mortality risk2, characterized by reduced blood flow in the mesentery due to thrombi in the celiac axis, or the superior or inferior mesenteric artery. In 60%-70% of the cases, acute occlusions of the superior mesenteric artery due to thrombosis or embolization are responsible for acute bowel ischemia3. In contrast, in 5-15% of cases, mesenteric venous thrombosis accounts for mesenteric ischemia involving the superior mesenteric vein and, more rarely, the inferior mesenteric vein4. The hypoxia and malnutrition arising from ischemia lead to energy metabolism disorders at the cellular level5. For instance, impaired mitochondrial function activates multiple signaling pathways, initiating cellular death mechanisms6. Although rapid reperfusion enables the restoration of aerobic metabolism, the restoration of blood flow to an ischemic region often causes extensive tissue injury due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production7, calcium overload8, endothelial dysfunction9, and inflammatory responses10.
Many experimental animal models employing temporary vascular occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery have been established to elucidate the molecular mechanisms during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury11. The use of such models in combination with intravital microscopy (IVM) is fundamental for gaining insights into the underlying cellular interactions and disease progression11. Gut barrier dysfunction is observed shortly after ischemia12, with the epithelium losing its integrity13, resulting in bacterial translocation to extraintestinal sites such as the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and kidney12,14. Reperfusion further aggravates the mucosal injury15. An inflammatory response in the arterioles is manifested by the rolling and firm adhesion of leukocytes on the endothelial cell layer, which is dependent on molecules such as L-selectin16, P-selectin (CD62P)17, platelet GPIIb/IIIa, and fibrinogen18. Interestingly, leukocyte adhesion to mesenteric venules is influenced by the presence of gut microbiota19 and Toll-like receptor 4 signaling10. I/R injury also triggers neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation10. Therapeutic targeting of the extracellular DNA, originating from activated leukocytes such as neutrophils, improves the outcome of intestinal I/R injury20. In the liver, I/R injury is ignited by resident microphages21, and microRNA inhibition notably attenuates apoptosis22. Of note, I/R injury in the mesentery results in gut dysbiosis, which is reversible and resolved after revascularization23.
The endothelium is also influenced by the damaging effects of I/R injury, with ROS playing a pivotal role in the process24. Leukocyte adhesion to the endothelial cell layer, endothelial damage, and alterations of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism are observed9. However, the molecular pathways involved have not yet been fully explored.
Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1, F2r), is a membrane receptor expressed by a variety of cells, including endothelial cells, and is activated during inflammatory conditions25. Its activation occurs when serine proteases cleave the receptor at the N-terminus, exposing the tethered ligand that, in turn, activates the receptor by binding to the second extracellular loop of the molecule26. The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR)-PAR1 signaling pathway impacts endothelial NO homeostasis and facilitates the restoration of blood flow in peripheral ischemia27.
In this study, I/R injury was applied to a genetic mouse model characterized by endothelial cell-specific PAR1 deficiency to visualize leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and NET formation. The combination of a genetic mouse model and intravital microscopy after I/R microsurgery provides valuable insights by highlighting the specific cell types involved in the disease progression. Applying I/R injury to genetic mouse models is instrumental in identifying potential therapeutic targets that can be used to improve the course of the disease. Moreover, the significance of endothelial PAR1 in NETosis was shown.