Reduced recruitment of inflammatory cells in a contact hypersensitivity response in P-selectin-deficient mice

The inflammatory response at sites of contact hypersensitivity induced by oxazolone was examined in the ears of P-selectin-deficient and wild- type mice. Accumulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils was reduced significantly in the mutant mice, as well as mast cell degranulation. In contrast, there was no significant difference in vascular permeability or edema between the two genotypes. The results demonstrate a role for P-selectin in recruitment of CD4+ T lymphocytes and show that P-selectin plays a role in long-term inflammation as well as in acute responses.