Blood monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelial cells. Implication in vascular pathology

Abstract

The blood monocytes adhere to endothelial cells unstimulated and after stimulation by interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor or other mediators. This process is mediated through specific molecules on both endothelial cells and monocytes. Using specific monoclonal antibodies and molecular cloning several families of molecules involved in leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction have been defined. Leukocyte adhesion molecules include the three β2 integrins (CD11/CD18 molecules), VLA-4 and the L-Selectin. E-Selectin (ELAM-1), P-Selectin (GMP-140) and receptors of the immunoglobulin superfamily (ICAM-1, ICAM-2 and VCAM-1) are expressed on endothelial cells in basal conditions and after activation by cytokines. It has been shown that these adhesive molecules are involved in blood monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells in vitro. The in vivo expression of these adhesive molecules on the vascular endothelium has been described in acute and chronic inflammatory situations such as Kawasaki syndrome and atherosclerosis.