Adhesive interactions between endothelial cells and leukocytes contribute to atherosclerotic plaque growth. However, mechanism(s) responsible for endothelial priming and deactivation in inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis are not clear. Apolipoprotein E deficient mice were generated with deficiency of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (Psgl-1−/−, ApoE−/−). On both standard chow and Western diet, Psgl-1−/−, ApoE−/− mice were protected against atherosclerosis compared to Psgl-1+/+, ApoE−/− controls. Psgl-1−/−, ApoE−/− mice also showed reduced leukocyte rolling and firm attachment on endothelial cells, however, adoptively transferred Psgl-1+/+, ApoE−/− leukocytes into Psgl-1−/−, ApoE−/− hosts displayed similar reduced rolling as Psgl-1−/−, ApoE−/− leukocytes. Hematopoietic deficiency of Psgl-1 conferred resistance to the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on leukocyte rolling along with reduced circulating levels of sP-sel and sE-sel. Antibody blockade of Psgl-1 also reduced endothelial activation in response to IL-1β, eliminated leukocyte rolling, and was protective against atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice. Monocyte depletion with clodronate restored the endothelial response to IL-1β in Psgl-1−/− mice. This study suggests that Psgl-1 deficiency leads to reduced atherosclerosis and adhesive interactions between endothelial cells and leukocytes by indirectly regulating endothelial responses to cytokine stimulation.

Radiation oncology continues to be underrepresented in medical curricula throughout Australia and New Zealand with no plans for improvement by Faculties. This study supports the need for formal advocacy for improving radiation oncology education in medical schools and will form the basis of new national recommendations for radiation oncology curriculum development.

No abstract

No abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, globally affects 2-7 in every 1000 adults aged over 70 each year (Raskob et al., 2014). In Australia, it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality (Economics, 2016), and costs the healthcare system $1.72 billion (AUD) annually (Commission, 2014). VTE rates are substantially greater in aged care facility residents, relative to the general community (Apenteng et al., 2017). Established VTE risk factors for older adults, including frailty, obesity, hospitalisation, surgery, malignancy, trauma, fracture, heart failure, immobility, superficial vein thrombosis, dementia or hormone replacement therapy (Leibson et al., 2012) are also more prevalent in aged care residents (Dharmarajan et al., 2012;Gomes et al., 2003;Reardon et al., 2013). As the world's ageing population increases, VTE incidence rates are expected to rise exponentially