Loss of LAT1 sex-dependently delays recovery after caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis

Figure 4 The number and activity of neutrophils in LAT1-ko mice was reduced, but the capacity to recruit macrophages was maintained. A-C: LAT1-ko mice recruited less neutrophils than LAT1-wt cre-mice. A: The mRNA expressions of NADPH oxidase 2 (nox2), tumor necrosis factor α (tnfα), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (icam-1) were analyzed via qPCR and expressed as a fold change relative to saline-injected controls 24 h after the onset of acute pancreatitis (AP). The line indicates the expression level of the control animals. Mean ± SEM, n = 4-7; B: Myeloperoxidase activity in LAT1-ko mice 24 h after saline or caerulein (cae) injection was expressed as activity/μg DNA. Mean ± SEM, n = 3-8; C: The lower number of neutrophils recruited was assessed by FACS analysis of the pancreas 24 h after the onset of AP. The results illustrate the ratio of Ly6G positive to CD45 positive cells. Mean ± SEM, n = 4-5. Statistical analysis was conducted with an unpaired, two-tailed t-test. ^aP < 0.05; D-E: Recruitment of macrophages was equal in both genotypes, but female LAT1-ko mice exhibited a lower expression of macrophage marker and interleukins; D: Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 was equal between genotypes and sexes; this was measured by ELISA in the pancreas of saline or cae-injected mice and expressed as pg/µg DNA. Mean ± SEM, n = 3-8; E: Macrophage marker F4/80, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 were lower in female LAT1-ko when analyzed via qPCR and expressed as a fold change relative to saline-injected controls 24 h after the onset of AP. The line indicates the expression level of control animals. Mean ± SEM, n = 4-8. Statistical analysis was conducted with ANOVA and Bonferroni and then compared, as indicated by the capped line. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01, ^cP < 0.001.