P-Selectin Deficiency Reduces Acute Vascular Complications but Not Chronic Organ Damage in Sickle Cell Mice

P-selectin (Psel) is an adhesion molecule expressed on platelets and endothelial cells, which interacts with its ligand PSGL-1 on leukocytes and a PSGL-1-like molecule on sickle red blood cells (RBCs). Psel mediates the formation of the multicellular aggregates that promote vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and acute painful episodes in sickle cell disease (SCD). Crizanlizumab, a monoclonal antibody blocking Psel, reduces the frequency of VOC in SCD patients. In SCD mice, Psel contributes to heme-induced microvascular stasis, and thrombus and platelet-neutrophil aggregate formation in the lung and liver. Unexpectedly, Psel deficiency promotes liver senescence in a mouse model of SCD, suggesting a possible detrimental effect of Psel inhibition. In this study, we further investigated the long-term effects of Psel deficiency on thromboinflammation and end-organ damage in murine SCD.