Platelet-activating factor receptor plays a role in the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease by regulating leukocyte recruitment, tissue injury, and lethality

PAF is a potent lipid mediator involved in several manifestations of acute inflammation, including leukocyte influx, leukocyte interaction with endothelium, and production of inflammatory cytokines. The present study evaluated the relevance of PAFR for the pathogenesis of acute GVHD using a model of adoptive transfer of splenocytes from WT or PAFR(-/-) C57BL/6J to B6D2F1 mice. Mice, which received PAFR(-/-) splenocytes or treatment with the PAFR antagonist, showed reduced clinical signs of disease and no mortality. In GVHD mice receiving PAFR(-/-) splenocytes, there was deceased bacterial translocation and tissue injury. Furthermore, production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, CCL2, CCL3, and CCL5) and accumulation of CD8(+) cells in intestine and liver were reduced in mice transplanted with the PAFR(-/-) splenocyte. Mechanistically, an absence or pharmacological blockade of PAFR was associated with decreased rolling and adhesion of leukocytes to the mesenteric microcirculation, as assessed by intravital microscopy. Despite decreased GVHD, there was maintained GVL activity when PAFR(-/-) leukocytes were transferred into WT mice. In conclusion, PAFR on donor leukocytes plays a critical role in GVHD by mediating leukocyte influx and cytokine production in target tissues. PAFR antagonist may potentially be useful in the treatment of GVHD in bone marrow-transplanted patients. J. Leukoc. Biol. 91: 629-639; 2012.