Journal of leukocyte biology
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The relationship between inflammation and proteolytic activation in pancreatitis is an unresolved issue in pancreatology. The purpose of this study was to define the influence of neutrophils on trypsinogen activation in severe AP. Pancreatitis was induced by infusion of taurocholate into the pancreatic duct in C57BL/6 mice. ⋯ Intravital fluorescence microscopy revealed a 97% reduction of leukocytes in the pancreatic microcirculation after administration of the anti-Gr-1 antibody. Our data demonstrate that initial trypsinogen activation is independent of neutrophils, whereas later activation is dependent on neutrophils in the pancreas. Neutrophils are critical in mediating pancreatic and lung tissue damage in severe AP.