PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 is induced on endothelium during acute rejection in human cardiac allografts.

An infiltration of mononuclear leukocytes into the myocardium of a cardiac allograft is diagnostic of transplant rejection. The presence of these leukocytes implies their adhesion to, and subsequent migration through, the vascular endothelium. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 are endothelial proteins that have been shown to be involved in the binding of mononuclear leukocytes to the endothelium in vitro. We investigated the induction of these proteins in a random series from 99 endomyocardial biopsy specimens obtained from 1 week to 4 years after cardiac allograft transplantation. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was found to be expressed constitutively by the myocardial microvasculature in the recipient's original heart and in the posttransplantation biopsy specimens. No correlation was found between the presence or absence of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and cellular rejection. In contrast, no endothelial expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 was observed in the recipient heart or in endomyocardial biopsy specimens lacking cellular rejection. The presence of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 significantly correlated with the presence of mild or moderate rejection. The de novo induction of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 on the myocardial vasculature during periods of rejection, in addition to the recruitment of mononuclear leukocytes that are known to bind to this protein, suggests that the expression of this endothelial adhesion protein could be of use in diagnosing rejection.

Antigens, CD↗

Elevated vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in AIDS encephalitis induced by simian immunodeficiency virus.

AIDS encephalitis is a common sequela to HIV-1 infection in humans and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac) infection in macaques. Although lentiviral-infected macrophages comprise parenchymal inflammatory infiltrates in affected brain tissue, the mechanisms responsible for leukocyte trafficking to the central nervous system in AIDS are unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression of various endothelial-derived leukocyte adhesion proteins in SIVmac-induced AIDS encephalitis. Encephalitic brains from SIVmac-infected macaques, but not uninflamed brains from other SIVmac-infected animals, were found to express abundant vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) protein on the majority of arteriolar, venular, and capillary endothelial cells. Soluble VCAM-1 concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from encephalitic animals were increased approximately 20-fold above those from animals without AIDS encephalitis. Expression of other endothelial-related adhesion molecules, including E-selectin, P-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), was not uniformly associated with AIDS encephalitis. Thus, the presence of VCAM-1 in both brain and CSF was uniformly associated with SIVmac-induced disease of the central nervous system, and this expression may, at least in part, influence monocyte and lymphocyte recruitment to the central nervous system during the development of AIDS encephalitis. Moreover, measurement of soluble VCAM-1 in CSF may assist in the clinical assessment of animals or people with AIDS.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in murine lupus nephritis.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is a cell surface protein which mediates adherence of inflammatory cells to target cells by binding with the beta 1-integrin ligand Very Late Antigen-4 (VLA-4) on leukocytes. The expression of VCAM-1 was investigated in a murine model of lupus nephritis, the autoimmune MRL/lpr mouse. Compared with normal mice, MRL/lpr kidneys show increased VCAM-1 expression not only in the endothelium, but also in cortical tubules and glomeruli. Increased steady-state VCAM-1 mRNA levels (approximately 3 kB) are detected in the kidney of nephritic MRL/lpr mice. Two additional transcripts (approximately 2 and approximately 1.8 kB) are present in autoimmune MRL/lpr but not in normal mice. Like ICAM-1, VCAM-1 is also upregulated in vitro in renal cortical tubular and mesangial cells by TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IFN-gamma. T cell and macrophage cell lines adhere to TNF-alpha stimulated tubular epithelial cells by using the VCAM-1/VLA-4 and the ICAM-1/LFA-1 binding pairs. Kidney tissue sections from nephritic MRL/lpr also display increased adhesiveness for T cell and macrophage cell lines, and for MRL/lpr lymph node cells when compared with normal kidney sections. This enhanced adhesiveness of MRL/lpr kidney tissue is inhibited with monoclonal antibodies targeting the VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 molecules. Thus, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 function as renal parenchymal adhesion molecules and mediate the adherence of pathogenic inflammatory cells in murine lupus nephritis.

Animals↗

Regulated expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in human malignant melanoma.

Expression of the endothelial adhesion molecule VCAM-1 was studied in human malignant melanoma lines by flow cytometry. Clones 2/4 and 2/14 (derived from the same lesion) had appreciable levels of VCAM-1 expression, whereas clone 2/21 and the lines A2058, Mel24, and A375 were negative. Clone 2/14 was selected for further analysis. Exposure to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) markedly augmented VCAM-1 on melanoma cells. Surface VCAM-1 was associated with expression of specific transcripts that were augmented by TNF. Analysis by reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction using appropriate primers revealed that TNF-stimulated melanoma cells expressed both 7 and 6 immunoglobulin domain transcripts with predominance of the longer species. Tumor necrosis factor--stimulated melanoma cells bound more VLA-4-expressing cells (melanoma and monocytes) than resting tumor cells and anti-VCAM-1 monoclonal antibodies significantly inhibited binding, thus suggesting that surface VCAM-1 on melanoma is functional. Analysis of melanoma tissue sections demonstrated that VCAM-1 is not a marker of transformation of melanocytes because it can be detected in benign nevi. Although, unlike ICAM-1, VCAM-1 is not correlated with tumor progression, its expression in a fraction of primary melanomas indicates that it may play a role in regulating host immune response and homotypic interactions in some malignant melanomas.

Base Sequence↗

Effects of CPAP on endothelial activation and fibrinolytic balance in coronary artery disease with obstructive sleep apnea: The RICCADSA randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) promotes endothelial activation and a prothrombotic milieu through intermittent hypoxia, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation, mechanisms closely linked to atherosclerosis progression. The vascular effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) remain incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the longitudinal effects of CPAP treatment on endothelial adhesion molecules and fibrinolytic balance in patients with CAD and OSA. METHODS: In this randomized controlled analysis from the RICCADSA trial, 210 revascularized CAD patients with moderate-to-severe OSA were assigned to CPAP (n = 104) or no-CPAP (n = 106) and had available biomarker measurements at baseline and 12 months. Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were assessed. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine longitudinal changes and time-by-treatment interactions adjusted for cardiometabolic covariates. RESULTS: For ICAM-1, no significant time-by-treatment interaction was observed. For PAI-1, a borderline time-by-treatment interaction suggested a numerically smaller increase in the CPAP group compared with no-CPAP (p = 0.09). CPAP treatment was associated with a significantly greater reduction in VCAM-1 over time compared with no-CPAP (time-by-treatment interaction p = 0.045 in adjusted models). CONCLUSIONS: CPAP treatment was associated with selective modulation of vascular biomarkers in patients with CAD and OSA, characterized by attenuation of endothelial activation reflected by reduced VCAM-1 levels, while fibrinolytic imbalance appeared largely resistant to intervention. These findings support pathway-specific vascular responses to CPAP and provide mechanistic insight into residual atherosclerotic risk in this high-risk population.

Aged↗

Cutaneous expression of Thy-1 in mycosis fungoides.

Dermal dendritic cells from eleven cases of mycosis fungoides (MF) (six patch and five plaque stage), two cases of pre-MF, and five specimens of normal human skin, were characterized immunohistochemically using a panel of antibodies including anti-human Thy-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; CD54), endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), CD1a, CD2, CD14, CD18, CD34, MAC387, KP-1, EBM-11, factor XIIIa, factor XIIIs, and S100. Thy-1 expression in normal skin was limited to the microvascular endothelium and perivascular dendritic cells. An extensive interstitial network of Thy-1+ dendritic cells was seen in the papillary dermis of all cases of MF, whereas no epidermal cells were Thy-1+. The mean +/- standard deviation of interstitial Thy-1+ cells per high power field in the dermis was: normal skin, 2.86 +/- 0.34; pre-MF, 15; patch stage MF, 13.4 +/- 7.08; plaque stage MF, 49.96 +/- 21.29. Thy-1+ dendritic cells morphologically resembled the factor XIIIa+ "dermal dendrocyte" (DD) and shared their VCAM-1+, ICAM-1+, CD1a, CD2-, CD14+, CD18+, EMB11+, factor XIIIa+, factor XI-IIs-, S100-, MAC387- and KP-1-immunophenotype in MF. Double labeling studies revealed up to 50% of Thy-1+DD were also factor XIIIa+ in MF. Immediately beneath these cells was a similar network of CD34+, Thy-1-, factor XIIIa- dendritic cells limited to the reticular dermis. Strong microvascular endothelial cell expression of Thy-1 and VCAM-1, and focal vascular ELAM-1 expression were also seen in MF. Distinct cellular compartmentalization (papillary dermis versus reticular dermis versus epidermis) of dendritic cells is demonstrated by the differential expression of Thy-1, factor XIIIa, and CD34 antigens. The extensive number and prominent dermal dendritic network in the papillary dermis juxtaposed between epidermal keratinocytes (KC) and dermal/epidermal T cells, suggests an important pathophysiologic role for this newly recognized and immunophenotypically distinctive cell population in MF.

Antigens, CD↗

Adhesion molecules involved in the interaction of LGL/NK cells and human endothelial cells stimulated with Salmonella bacteria.

Previously we showed that pretreatment of LGL/NK or HUVE cells with Salmonella bacteria augments the adhesion of LGL/NK cells to endothelium. Here we analyse the roles of HUVEC adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin, and the counter-receptors VLA-4, LFA-1 and SLex in the increase of LGL/NK adhesion to HUVEC, stimulated with Salmonella Minnesota mR595 bacteria, LPS or TNF-alpha. On Salmonella-stimulated HUVEC, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were the major binding structures involved, and their effect was additive in monoclonal antibody inhibition experiments. We could demonstrate the induction of both structures on cultured HUVEC after 24 h of Salmonella stimulation in flow cytometric analysis. For Salmonella-stimulated LGL/NK, the principal binding structure was LFA-1. Stimulation of LGL/NK cells did not alter the expression of the adhesion structures (subunits CD11a/CD18, CD49d/CD29), as determined by flow cytometric analysis, and thus the increased adherence is presumably produced by an increased avidity of the receptors on LGL/NK cells. Pretreatment of endothelium or lymphocytes with various stimuli, including Salmonella bacteria or LPS, leads to an activation state which provides for characteristic anchorage sites for the increased migration of LGL/NK cells towards the site of inflammation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Tumor necrosis factor alpha induces adhesion molecule expression on human fetal astrocytes.

Leukocyte adhesion molecules on endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier may participate in the entry of leukocytes into the central nervous system. Because astrocytes are also a component of the blood-brain barrier and have been associated with inflammation, we studied the ability of astrocytes to express leukocyte adhesion molecules using Northern blot and immunocytochemical techniques. Astrocytes treated with the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) expressed messenger RNA for the adhesion molecules E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1, as well as their corresponding proteins. In addition, TNF-treated astrocytes expressed a monocyte adhesion protein identified by our laboratory, recognized by the monoclonal antibody IG9. These results indicate that under inflammatory conditions in the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, astrocyte expression of adhesion molecules may facilitate the migration of leukocytes and contribute to the disease process.

Astrocytes↗

Cellular Adhesion Molecules and Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Heart Failure: Findings From the DAPA-HF Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) are responsible for immune cell-cell interactions. Systemic levels of VCAM-1 are associated with incident heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVES: To determine if VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels are associated with progression of established HF. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants enrolled in the biomarker substudy of the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA-HF) randomized clinical trial had VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels measured at baseline and 12 months. The DAPA-HF trial was conducted at 410 sites in 20 countries. Patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II to IV with elevated natriuretic peptides were enrolled between February 15, 2017, and August 17, 2018, with final follow-up on June 6, 2019. Data were analyzed from January 2023 to January 2025. INTERVENTIONS: Dapagliflozin, 10 mg, once daily vs placebo. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the composite of a worsening HF event or cardiovascular death. The associations between VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels at baseline and the primary outcome, its components, and all-cause death were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for known prognostic variables including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT), as well as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. RESULTS: A total of 3051 participants (mean [SD] age, 67.2 [10.5] years; 2386 male [78.2%]) were included in this study. Mean (SD) follow-up time was 17.6 (5.2) months. The median (IQR) baseline VCAM-1 level was 997 (816.7-1218.8) ng/mL. Compared with patients with lower concentrations of VCAM-1, those with higher concentrations of VCAM-1 were older (mean [SD] age T3 vs T1, 69.7&#x2009;[9.7] years vs 64.1&#x2009;[10.7] years; P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001), in worse NYHA class (T3 vs T1, NYHA class III/IV 35.6% [362 of 1017] vs 26.5% [269 of 1017]; P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001), and had higher NT-proBNP (median [IQR] T3 vs T1, 2018 [1126-3753] pg/mL vs 1118 [693-1830] pg/mL) and hs-TnT (median [IQR] T3 vs T1, 24.7 [17.1-37.5] ng/L vs 16.6 [11.6-24.9] ng/L) concentrations, and lower eGFR (mean [SD] T3 vs T1, 58.4 [17.6] mL/min/1.73 m2 vs 71.7 [18.0] mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients in tertile 3 of VCAM-1, compared with tertile 1, had the highest risk of each outcome (eg, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for primary outcome 1.40; 95% CI, 1.11-1.77; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.004). ICAM-1 level was not associated with an elevated risk of any outcome. The benefit of dapagliflozin vs placebo in reducing the risk of the primary outcome was consistent across VCAM-1 tertiles: HR, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.54-1.06), 0.82 (95% CI, 0.59-1.12), and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.61-0.98) for tertiles 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P for interaction&#x2009;=&#x2009;.93). There was no significant change in VCAM-1 level with dapagliflozin at 52 weeks. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Results of this substudy of the DAPA-HF randomized clinical trial demonstrate that higher VCAM-1 levels, possibly reflecting a distinct inflammatory/immune pathophysiological pathway in HFrEF, were associated with worse outcomes, even after adjustment for conventional prognostic variables. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03036124.

Aged↗

VLA-4 integrin on sarcoma cell lines recognizes endothelial VCAM-1. Differential regulation of the VLA-4 avidity on various sarcoma cell lines.

Osteosarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas are vigorously invading tumors. Before they can extravasate to the parenchymal organs and form metastases, they have to adhere to the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels and then penetrate through the endothelium. We show that several human sarcoma cell lines, osteosarcomas HOS, MG-63, U2-OS, and a rhabdomyosarcoma RD, express VLA-4 molecule on their surface and bind to the VCAM-I-expressing activated endothelial cell line Ea.hy 926. The increased sarcoma-cell adhesion could be abolished by treating the sarcoma cells with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) VLA4 (both alpha- and beta-chain, HP2/1 and 4B4 respectively) or treating endothelial cells with VCAM-I antibody (4B9). Furthermore, we show that sarcoma cells adhere to recombinant soluble VCAM-I protein. On the other hand, these sarcoma cell lines do not express marked amounts of other ligands (such as CDII/18 or sialyl-Lex) for other endothelial adhesion molecules (ICAM-I, ICAM-2, E- and P-selectin) indicating that the VLA-4-VCAM-I dependent pathway might be of major importance in sarcoma extravasation. VLA-4 is not always in an avid form and therefore the expression of VLA-4 does not directly predict adherence to VCAM-I. The avidity of VLA-4 (measured by adherence to soluble VCAM-I) of MG-63 and U2-OS cells could be increased by a 30-min PMA treatment, whereas the avidity of VLA-4 on HOS cells increased only after 48 hr of PMA induction. Our results show that sarcoma cell lines (HOS, MG-63, U2-OS and RD) adhere to stimulated endothelium via VLA-4-VCAM-I adhesion molecules and that VLA-4 avidity on sarcoma cells can be differentially modulated by PMA.

Base Sequence↗

Tumors hijack macrophages for iron supply to promote bone metastasis and anemia.

Bone marrow is both a primary site for hematopoiesis and a fertile niche for metastasis. The mechanism of the common occurrence of anemia among patients with bone metastasis remains poorly understood. Here, we show that a specialized population of VCAM1+CD163+CCR3+ macrophages, normally essential for erythropoiesis by transporting iron to erythroblasts, are highly enriched in the bone metastatic niche in mouse models. Tumor cells hijack these macrophages for iron supply, reducing iron availability for erythroblasts, impairing erythropoiesis, and contributing to anemia. Increased iron supply enables tumor cells to produce hemoglobin in response to hypoxia, mimicking erythroblasts. We identify macrophages with similar iron-transporting features in human bone metastases and show that elevated HBB expression correlates with increased risk of bone metastasis. These findings establish iron-transporting macrophages as an essential component of the metastatic bone niche, revealing a critical interplay between immune cells, metal metabolism, and tumor cell plasticity in driving metastasis and anemia.

Animals↗

Effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on markers of endothelial function in persons with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

AIMS: The endothelium maintains vascular health by regulating blood flow and protecting against inflammatory damage. In type 2 diabetes (T2DM), however, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia place a significant burden on the endothelium, potentially leading to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). While semaglutide and empagliflozin have been shown to reduce CVD risk in T2DM, it remains unclear whether these benefits are mediated by improved endothelial function. This post-hoc analysis explores the effects of these agents on markers of endothelial function, i.e. the reactive hyperaemic index (RHI) and the endothelial-derived cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) E-Selectin, ICAM-1, P-Selectin, and VCAM-1. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of a 32-week randomized trial evaluating the separate and combined effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on cardio-renal organ damage. One hundred and twenty participants with type 2 diabetes, age&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;50 were randomized to four groups (semaglutide, empagliflozin, the combination or placebo). An increase in RHI and/or a decrease in CAMs were considered beneficial. RESULTS: RHI increased compared to baseline (0.11, 95%CI [0.008;0.21], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.03) but not compared to placebo in the semaglutide group (0.11, 95%CI [-0.04;0.24], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.16). There was no effect on RHI in the empagliflozin group. Compared to placebo, E-Selectin decreased significantly in the semaglutide and combination groups (-9, 95%CI [-14.1;-5.1] p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01 and&#xa0;-&#xa0;9, 95%CI [-14.3; -5.2] p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01, respectively). VCAM-1 increased in the same groups, compared to placebo (12.3, 95%CI[2.8;20.8] p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.01 and 16.2, 95%CI [7.2;24.3], p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01, respectively).P-Selectin and ICAM-1 was not significantly affected in any of the groups, compared to placebo (p&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;0.11 and p&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;0.09, respectively). CONCLUSION: Semaglutide improved endothelial function compared to baseline, but not significantly versus placebo, which likely is due to limited power. CAM responses were heterogeneous, suggesting distinct roles in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. ClinicalTrialsRegister.eu: EudraCT 2019-000781-38.

Aged↗

Cell interaction molecules and cytokines which participate in B lymphopoiesis.

A molecular and cellular definition of the bone marrow microenvironment is rapidly contributing to our understanding of lymphohaemopoiesis. While lineage specific genes and their protein products are being identified, information is accumulating about mechanisms which may regulate their expression. Stimulation of B lymphocyte precursor replication, and other discrete functions, are being attributed to cytokines such as interleukin 7 (IL-7). The activity of these factors may be controlled at the level of synthesis, local concentration and interaction with extracellular matrix. Extremely small amounts of IL-7 are made by stromal cells, which are themselves being thoroughly studied as cloned cell lines. This in vitro characterization suggests that stromal cells can make at least 12 cytokines, that they can respond to some of those cytokines themselves, and that they retain differentiation potential. Several molecules have been identified which are probably required for recognition between cells in marrow. It is noteworthy that they belong to several previously described families of adhesion molecules and none is unique to that tissue. VCAM-1 is constitutively expressed on stromal cells in marrow and can be recognized by pre-B cells which bear the integrin VLA-4. The same pair of molecules is probably responsible for extravasation of leukocytes in other tissues during inflammation. Cell adhesion molecules are likely to work in a carefully coordinated and cooperative fashion. Their activity can be controlled by expression or, in some cases, modulated after display on the cell surface. For example, while most haemopoietic cells bear CD44, only certain cells utilize it for recognition of the ligand hyaluronate. The affinity for hyaluronate can be experimentally regulated and depends on the cytoplasmic domain of CD44. This capability for dynamic change may be important for transient interactions between cells, permitting movement of maturing precursors within and from marrow.

Animals↗

Functional analysis of the human vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 promoter.

The vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) is a 110-kD member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily expressed on the surface of interleukin 1 beta- or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-stimulated endothelial cells. The cell surface protein functions as an inducible adhesion receptor for circulating mononuclear leukocytes and some tumor cells. We have previously characterized the genomic organization of the VCAM1 gene and described its chromosomal localization. In this report, the promoter of the VCAM1 gene is characterized. New transcription of the VCAM1 gene occurred when endothelial cells were treated with TNF. Fusion plasmids containing the 5' flanking sequence of the VCAM1 gene and the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene were used to identify cis-acting sequences that direct the cytokine-induced transcription. When transfected into bovine aortic endothelial cells, constructs containing 755 bp of the 5' flanking sequence were induced by TNF. Within the cytokine-responsive region of the core promoter were functional NF-kappa B and GATA elements. Upstream of the core promoter, the VCAM1 5' flanking sequence contained a negative regulatory activity. NF-kappa B-mediated activation of VCAM1 gene expression may lead to endothelial expression of a mononuclear leukocyte adhesion molecule associated with initial events in the development of an atherosclerotic lesion.

Animals↗

Endothelial cell leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in gingival tissue during health and experimentally-induced gingivitis.

The changes in vascular adhesion molecule expression and numbers of infiltrating leukocytes during a 21-day experimental gingivitis episode were investigated immunohistochemically. Monoclonal antibodies to ELAM-1 (1.2B6), ICAM-1 (6.5B5), CD3 (OKT3-pan-T cell) and neutrophils (PMN-elastase) were used to identify positive vessels and leukocytes within gingival biopsies taken on d 0, 7, 14 and 21. Vascular endothelium expressed ELAM-1 and ICAM-1 both in clinically 'healthy' tissue (d 0) and in experimentally inflamed tissue (d 7 to 21). Positive vessels were found mainly in the connective tissue subjacent to the junctional epithelium where the highest numbers of T cells and neutrophils were also seen. Although T cells were found in all tissue areas studied, neutrophils were largely concentrated in the junctional epithelium and the subjacent connective tissue but were absent from the oral epithelial region. As the experimental gingivitis developed, the number of T cells or neutrophils in the different tissue regions did not change significantly although the most intense vascular ICAM-1 and ELAM-1 staining redistributed to the CT adjacent to the junctional epithelium. A prominent feature was the intense ICAM-1 positive staining of the junctional epithelium and its absence in the closely adjacent oral epithelium, in both clinically 'healthy' and inflamed tissue. The gradient of ICAM-1 in junctional epithelium, with the strongest staining on the crevicular aspect plus the vascular expression of ELAM-1 and ICAM-1 in both clinically 'healthy' and inflamed tissue may be crucial processes which direct leukocyte migration towards the gingival crevice.

Analysis of Variance↗

Angiogenesis, assessed by platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule antibodies, as indicator of node metastases and survival in breast cancer.

Animal models suggest a role for new vessel formation (angiogenesis) in tumours with metastatic potential, and there is some evidence that this is true for human tumours. What is needed is a sensitive and specific label for endothelial cells, and one candidate would be a monoclonal antibody to platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM). We have counted microvessels in 103 primary breast cancers using the JC70 antibody to PECAM (or CD31). We compared our findings with various pathological indicators (lymph node status and tumour grade, size, and type and markers (oestrogen receptor, and c-erbB-2 expression and detection of mutant p53). Tumours showed significantly higher vascularisation than normal breast tissue and the number of blood vessels/mm2 was significantly associated with node metastasis. Only 2 out of 50 tumours with 99 vessel/mm2 or less were node positive whereas 31 out of 39 tumours with counts above 140/mm2 were positive (p < 0.0001). Tumour size and grade also correlated with node metastasis and vascularisation also increased with the size of the primary and with poor differentiation. However, within each subgroup of size or differentiation tumours without node involvement had much lower vascular counts, and multivariate analysis showed that vascular count alone explains the association of size and grade with node metastasis. Other markers, conventional or novel, did not correlate with vascularisation. Even with the short follow-up in this series, vascular counts correlated with early death. These results suggest that angiogenesis is closely linked to metastasis, that it is acquired at a critical density of vessels, and that this process occurs as tumours enlarge or become more poorly differentiated. Counting of newly formed microvessels stained with endothelium-specific antibodies may prove to be a useful tool in the early detection of metastatic potential and in the selection of patients for whom anti-angiogenesis drugs might be beneficial.

Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic↗

A mechanism for the antiinflammatory effects of corticosteroids: the glucocorticoid receptor regulates leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and expression of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1.

Corticosteroids are the preeminent antiinflammatory agents although the molecular mechanisms that impart their efficacy have not been defined. The endothelium plays a critical role in inflammation by directing circulating leukocytes into extravascular tissues by expressing adhesive molecules for leukocytes [e.g., endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)]. We therefore determined whether corticosteroids suppress inflammation by inhibiting endothelial expression of adhesion molecules for neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes). Preincubation of endothelial cells with endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 1 microgram/ml] led to a 4-fold increase in subsequent adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (P < 0.0001, n = 10) to endothelial cells, an increase that was markedly attenuated when endothelial cells were treated with dexamethasone (IC50 < 1 nM, P < 0.0001, n = 6 or 7) during preincubation with LPS. Moreover, the steroid receptor agonist cortisol (10 microM), but not its inactive metabolite tetrahydrocortisol (10 microM), diminished LPS-induced endothelial cell adhesiveness. Further evidence that the action of dexamethasone was mediated through ligation of corticosteroid receptors [human glucocorticoid receptors (hGRs)] was provided by experiments utilizing the steroid antagonist RU-486. RU-486 (10 microM), which prevents translocation of ligated hGR to the nucleus by inhibiting dissociation of hGR from heat shock protein 90, completely aborted the effect of dexamethasone on adhesiveness of endothelial cells (P < 0.0005, n = 3). Treatment of endothelial cells with LPS (1 microgram/ml) stimulated transcription of ELAM-1, as shown by Northern blot analysis, and expression of membrane-associated ELAM-1 and ICAM-1, as shown by quantitative immunofluorescence (both P < 0.001, n = 9). Dexamethasone markedly inhibited LPS-stimulated accumulation of mRNA for ELAM-1 and expression of ELAM-1 and ICAM-1 (IC50 < 10 nM, both P < 0.001, n = 4-9); inhibition of expression by dexamethasone was reversed by RU-486 (both P < 0.005, n = 4-6). As in the adhesion studies, cortisol but not tetrahydrocortisol inhibited expression of ELAM-1 and ICAM-1 (both P < 0.005, n = 3 or 4). In contrast, sodium salicylate (1 mM) inhibited neither adhesion nor expression of these adhesion molecules. These studies suggest that antagonism by dexamethasone of endotoxin-induced inflammation is a specific instance of the general biological principle that the glucocorticoid receptor is a hormone-dependent regulator of transcription.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Effects of Acute Low- and Moderate-Dose Alcohol on Chronic Disease-Related Biomarkers in Healthy Light and Heavy Drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption is a major contributor to global chronic disease, with growing evidence indicating health risks even at low levels of intake. However, mechanistic understanding of these risks relies heavily on preclinical models and observational data, leaving a critical gap in controlled experimental evidence regarding how alcohol perturbs human biological systems in&#xa0;vivo. METHODS: The present study utilized plasma samples from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effects of low-dose (0.35&#x2009;g/kg) and moderate-dose (0.60&#x2009;g/kg) alcohol on disease-relevant biomarkers in 32 healthy adults (mean age&#x2009;=&#x2009;25.0&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;3.8&#x2009;years; 21 female/11 male), characterized by light (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;15) or heavy (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;17) drinking. This design enabled evaluation of effects across dose, timescale, and drinking history, as well as assessment of their interactions. Plasma was collected at prebeverage baseline and hourly for 4&#x2009;h afterward. Immunoassays quantified 10 disease-related biomarkers: adiponectin, angiogenin, D-dimer, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1), Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (sRAGE), and Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2 (TREM2). RESULTS: Main effects of group indicated that even in this young healthy sample, heavy drinking status was associated with higher levels of adiponectin, angiogenin, ICAM-1, LCN2, and sRAGE, a profile suggesting altered vascular and metabolic activity. Acute alcohol administration induced changes in sRAGE and hsCRP. Specifically, moderate-dose alcohol triggered an increase in the immunoglobulin sRAGE, which may reflect an acute compensatory response to inflammation and/or oxidative stress. Compared to placebo, hsCRP was lower in the low-dose alcohol condition; however, this finding should be interpreted in light of CRP biology. MMP-7, MMP-9, and LCN2 showed time-dependent fluctuations that were independent of experimental condition, highlighting the critical importance of placebo-controlled designs to account for diurnal/postprandial variation in immune biomarkers. CONCLUSION: Findings provide translational evidence that alcohol is associated with multisystem biomarker changes relevant to chronic disease and that alcohol-related biomarker perturbations vary by dose and chronicity.

Humans↗