Eosinophil rolling and firm adhesion visualized by intravital videomicroscopy.

Ragweed-sensitized wild-type mice were challenged with an intraperitoneal injection of ragweed. Twenty-four hours after intraperitoneal ragweed allergen challenge, fluorescence-labeled eosinophils were injected through the tail vein and visualized in vivo in the peritoneal microcirculation using intravital videomicroscopy. (A) A videotape image of eosinophils flowing through a postcapillary venule (V) is depicted. Blood flow in the venule is from left to right. (B) An image of the same venule is depicted, taken 5 seconds later than the image in panel A. Eosinophils 1, 2, and 3 remain stationary (same positions in panels A and B), representing eosinophils adherent to the venular endothelium. Eosinophil 4 transiently rolled on endothelium and is visible in panels A and B. Eosinophil 5 (panel A) became detached from the endothelium and is no longer visible in panel B.