Blocking E-selectin inhibits ischaemia-reperfusion-induced neutrophil recruitment to the murine testis.

Germ cell-specific apoptosis that occurs after ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) of the murine testis is dependent on neutrophil recruitment to the testis and is dependent upon the cell adhesion molecule E-selectin. In this study, we aimed to inhibit neutrophil recruitment to the IR-induced testis. Mice were subjected to a 2-h period of testicular torsion (ischaemia) followed by detorsion (reperfusion). Shortly after onset of reperfusion, mice received either a function-blocking monoclonal anti-mouse E-selectin antibody (FBmAb) or isotype-matched control antibody. Mice were killed 24 h after reperfusion and cells isolated from the testis were analysed for the presence of neutrophil infiltration by flow cytometry. Administration of FBmAb inhibited neutrophil recruitment to the IR-induced testis dramatically. Therefore, blockage of E-selectin may be a strategy to treat post-ischaemic testis.