7-二氟亚甲基-5,4’-二甲氧基染料木黄酮通过下调核因子κB和磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2的表达抑制血管内皮细胞与单核细胞的黏附

目的研究7-二氟亚甲基-5,4’-二甲氧基染料木黄酮对氧化诱导的血管内皮细胞与单核细胞黏附的影响,并初步探讨其作用机制。方法蛋白定量分析法测定内皮细胞与单核细胞的黏附率,酶联免疫吸附法检测E选择素、细胞间黏附分子1的释放,Western Blotting检测核因子κB、磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2的表达。结果1.0mmol/L H2O2孵育内皮细胞24h,内皮细胞与单核细胞的黏附增多,E选择素和细胞间黏附分子1的释放增加,核因子κB和磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2表达上调。用7-二氟亚甲基-5,4’-二甲氧基染料木黄酮预处理后可见内皮细胞与单核细胞的黏附率降低,E选择素和细胞间黏附分子1的释放减少,核因子κB和磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2的表达下调。结论7-二氟亚甲基-5,4’-二甲氧基染料木黄酮对氧化诱导的血管内皮细胞与单核细胞黏附及黏附分子E选择素、细胞间黏附分子1的释放有明显抑制作用,其作用机制可能与下调核因子κB和磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2的表达有关。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ对血管内皮细胞骨架的损伤作用

目的探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ对内皮细胞肌动蛋白骨架的影响及其作用机制。方法血管紧张素Ⅱ(10-6mol/L)处理人脐静脉内皮细胞不同时间(0、5、15、30及60 min)。激光共聚焦显微镜下观察细胞纤维状肌动蛋白骨架的形态学变化。Western blotting检测丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸化水平。结果正常组内皮细胞的纤维状肌动蛋白主要富集于细胞膜周边,分布均匀。血管紧张素Ⅱ处理组细胞膜周边的纤维状肌动蛋白消失,胞浆中出现密集的应力纤维,细胞间隙形成,且呈明显的时间依赖性。血管紧张素Ⅱ上调p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶、c-Jun氨基末端激酶和热休克蛋白27的磷酸化水平,但对细胞外信号调节激酶无明显影响。p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶特异性抑制剂SB203580阻断血管紧张素Ⅱ引起的纤维状肌动蛋白重排和细胞间隙形成。c-Jun氨基末端激酶特异性抑制剂SP600125则无明显作用。结论血管紧张素Ⅱ通过激活p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶/热休克蛋白27信号通路引起内皮细胞的纤维状肌动蛋白重排,导致细胞骨架损伤。     

西罗莫司对缺氧/复氧诱导内皮细胞-中性粒细胞黏附的影响及机制

目的　探讨西罗莫司对缺氧 复氧后血管内皮细胞表面黏附分子的表达和中性粒细胞 内皮细胞黏附的影响及机制。方法　采用 β N 乙酰氨基己糖苷酶比色法检测黏附率 ,流式细胞术检测内皮细胞表面黏附分子E 选择素、细胞间黏附分子 1(ICAM 1)的表达 ,Fenton反应测定活性氧 (reactiveoxygenspecies,ROS)的含量 ,Western杂交法检测内皮细胞c JunN端激酶 (JNK)及核因子 κB[nuclearfactor κB ,NF κB(P6 5 ) ]蛋白的表达。结果　血管内皮细胞经缺氧 复氧处理后ROS释放增多 ,JNK及NF κB(P6 5 )蛋白表达增加 ,E 选择素、ICAM 1的表达上调 ,其表面中性粒细胞的黏附增加 ,西罗莫司显著抑制缺氧 复氧的上述作用。结论　西罗莫司抑制缺氧 复氧后血管内皮细胞与中性粒细胞的黏附 ,并可能通过抑制ROS、JNK、NF κB的信号转导途径实现     

黏附分子细胞间黏附分子-1/E-选择素与冠心病

冠心病是一种高发病率和高病死率的疾病,炎症反应在冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成中起着重要作用。活化的血管内皮细胞分泌的细胞黏附分子,如细胞间黏附分子-1和E-选择素等,它们介导内皮细胞与白细胞、血小板间的起始黏附,促进血液循环中白细胞、血小板黏附于血管内皮,引起炎症反应、血栓形成等,在动脉粥样硬化和冠心病的发生、发展中起重要作用。     

血管紧张素-(1-7)、血管紧张素Ⅱ和p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶关系的研究进展

血管紧张素-(1-7)是肾素-血管紧张素系统家族中新发现的终末活性产物,与血管紧张素Ⅱ的多种作用相拮抗;血管紧张素Ⅱ可激活p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶通路,介导炎症反应.现就血管紧张素-(1-7)、血管紧张素Ⅱ和p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号转导通路的关系进行简要综述.     

肾上腺髓质素及其受体系统抑制溶血磷脂酸诱导的大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞增殖

目的观察溶血磷脂酸对肾上腺髓质素及其受体系统生成的影响和肾上腺髓质素在溶血磷脂酸促进血管平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用。方法贴块法培养大鼠胸主动脉血管平滑肌细胞,H3-TdR掺入测定血管平滑肌细胞DNA合成,γ-32P-ATP标记的同位素法测定丝裂原活化蛋白激酶活性,放射免疫法测定血管平滑肌细胞中肾上腺髓质素的含量。结果溶血磷脂酸促进大鼠血管平滑肌细胞肾上腺髓质素生成,上调血管平滑肌细胞肾上腺髓质素及其受体CRLR、RAMP2和RAMP3mRNA表达;肾上腺髓质素可抑制溶血磷脂酸刺激大鼠血管平滑肌细胞3H-TdR掺入,抑制溶血磷脂酸诱导的丝裂原活化蛋白激酶激活。结论溶血磷脂酸上调血管平滑肌细胞肾上腺髓质素及其受体系统,肾上腺髓质素及其受体抑制血管平滑肌细胞增殖的作用与其抑制丝裂原活化蛋白激酶激活有关。     

5-脂氧合酶激活蛋白在介导细胞因子诱导血管内皮细胞黏附分子表达中的作用

目的研究5-脂氧合酶激活蛋白（FLAP）在细胞因子诱导血管内皮细胞表达黏附分子中的介导作用,以及MK886对血管内皮细胞表达黏附分子的抑制作用。方法分离并原代培养人脐静脉血管内皮细胞,用FLAP微小强有力RNA（small interfering RNA,siRNA）抑制FLAP的表达,或用MK886抑制FLAP的活性,采用肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）和白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）刺激血管内皮细胞,通过Western杂交和酶联免疫吸附检测血管细胞黏附分子-1（VCAM-1）、细胞间黏附分子- 1（ICAM-1）和E选择素的表达。结果人脐静脉血管内皮细胞能表达低水平的黏附分子,在细胞因子的刺激下黏附分子的表达水平提高。FLAP表达抑制后,细胞因子诱导黏附分子表达的作用降低。细胞因子刺激12 h后,同未处理细胞表达的黏附分子比较,不同黏附分子表达分别增加了6～51倍;用不同浓度MK886处理后,细胞表达的黏附分子水平明显下降,并呈MK886剂量依赖性。结论FLAP介导了细胞因子诱导血管内皮细胞表达黏附分子的作用,MK886具有抑制血管内皮细胞表达黏附分子的作用。     

罗格列酮抑制高糖诱导的内皮细胞黏附作用

目的 研究罗格列酮对高糖诱导的内皮细胞黏附作用的影响.方法 应用不同浓度葡萄糖处理内皮细胞后,加入不同浓度罗格列酮,用免疫细胞化学法和逆转录聚合酶链反应分别检测血管细胞黏附分子1蛋白及mRNA的表达.同时各处理组行内皮细胞-单核细胞黏附试验.结果 葡萄糖可诱导血管细胞黏附分子蛋白和mRNA的表达明显增加(P<0.05),在16.7 mmol/L时作用最显著;应用罗格列酮后,血管细胞黏附分子1蛋白和mRNA的表达明显降低(P<0.05).葡萄糖可诱导内皮细胞-单核细胞黏附增加,且与葡萄糖浓度呈正相关;罗格列酮可抑制内皮细胞-单核细胞黏附(P<0.05).结论 在一定葡萄糖浓度范围内,罗格列酮可能通过抑制葡萄糖诱导的内皮细胞血管细胞黏附分子1的表达来抑制内皮细胞-单核细胞的黏附作用,这可能是罗格列酮抗糖尿病相关的动脉粥样硬化作用之一.     

氯沙坦对冠心病患者血清sICAM-1,sVCAM-1水平的影响

炎症贯穿于动脉粥样硬化发生发展的全过程 ,而单核细胞黏附于血管内皮细胞并迁入内皮摄取脂质转化为泡沫细胞 ,是动脉粥样硬化的早期事件。在这过程中 ,细胞黏附分子如血管内皮细胞黏附分子 -1(VCAM-1)及细胞间黏附分子 -1(ICAM-1)等起着重要的作用 ,并成为反映血管壁炎症的标志性分子 [1]。近期研究表明 ,肾素血管紧张素系统参与了动脉粥样硬化的发生和发展过程 ,其中血管紧张素 (Ang )在血管壁局部炎症损伤中的作用日益引起研究者的重视 ,其参与动脉粥样硬化的作用已为近期国内外体外实验所证实 ,但目前尚缺乏相应的临床研究。本研究…     

β-细辛醚对ox-LDL诱导的内皮细胞黏附分子表达的干预作用

目的 通过研究石菖蒲有效成份β-细辛醚对氧化低密度脂蛋白（ox-LDL）诱导的内皮细胞表面黏附分子表达的干预作用，探讨β-细辛醚抗动脉粥样硬化（AS）的作用及其机制。方法 采用流式细胞术和特异性标记单克隆抗体，测定内皮细胞表面细胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1，CD54）、血管细胞黏附分子-1（VCAM-1，CD106）、E-选择素（CD62E）和P-选择素（CD62P）的表达率。结果 ox-LDL诱导模型组VCAM-1、ICAM-1、CD62P、CD62E表达明显增高，与正常组比较有显著差异（P〈0.001）,β-细辛醚及维生素C能降低内皮细胞表面黏附分子的表达，与模型组比较有统计意义（P 〈0.05-0.001）。结论 ox-LDL促进内皮细胞表面黏附分子表达，β-细辛醚对ox-LDL有明显的干预作用，能抑制ox-LDL诱导的内皮细胞表面黏附分子表达，有效地保护人内皮细胞免受ox-LDL所致毒性损伤。     

The influences of obesity and glycemic control on endothelial activation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aims of this study were to elucidate the factors that contribute to endothelial activation and fibrinolytic abnormalities in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and to determine whether improved glycemic control reduces endothelial activation. Adhesion molecules [E-selectin, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1], von Willebrand factor, total nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1, tissue plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were measured in 43 type 2 diabetic subjects with hemoglobin A1c of 9.0% or more at baseline (compared with 21 healthy controls) who after 20 wk had been randomized to either improved (IC) or usual (UC) glycemic control. At baseline, type 2 diabetic patients had significant endothelial activation and abnormal fibrinolysis compared with control subjects. Body mass index in the diabetic patients was the only independent predictor of E-selectin (P = 0.007), ICAM-1 (P = 0.01), and NO (P = 0.008) concentrations, but not vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, or tissue plasminogen activator (all P > 0.05). Type 2 diabetic patients with a body mass index of 28 kg/m2 or less had concentrations of E-selectin, ICAM-1, endothelin-1, and NO similar to those in healthy controls. After 20 wk, hemoglobin A1c was significantly lower in IC vs. UC (IC, 8.02 +/- 0.25%; UC, 10.23 +/- 0.23%; P < 0.0001), but there were no significant changes in markers of endothelial activation or indexes of fibrinolysis. Obesity appears to be the most important predictor of endothelial activation in patients with type 2 diabetes. Short-term improvement in glycemic control does not appear to reduce endothelial activation.     

Shear stress inhibits adhesion molecule expression in vascular endothelial cells induced by coculture with smooth muscle cells

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs), which exist in close proximity to vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), are constantly subjected to blood flow-induced shear stress. Although the effect of shear stress on endothelial biology has been extensively studied, the influence of SMCs on endothelial response to shear stress remains largely unexplored. We examined the potential role of SMCs in regulating the shear stress-induced gene expression in ECs, using a parallel-plate coculture flow system in which these 2 types of cells were separated by a porous membrane. In this coculture system, SMCs tended to orient perpendicularly to the flow direction, whereas the ECs were elongated and aligned with the flow direction. Under static conditions, coculture with SMCs induced EC gene expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin, while attenuating EC gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Shear stress significantly inhibited SMC-induced adhesion molecule gene expression. These EC responses under static and shear conditions were not observed in the absence of close communication between ECs and SMCs, and they were also not observed when ECs were cocultured with fibroblasts instead of SMCs. Our findings indicate that under static conditions, coculture with SMCs induces ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin gene expression in ECs. These coculture effects are inhibited by shear stress and require specific interaction between ECs and SMCs in close contact.     

Soluble cell adhesion molecules in hypertensive concentric left ventricular hypertrophy

OBJECTIVE : Concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is an important cardiovascular risk factor. We investigated whether concentric LV hypertrophy is associated with activation of the vascular endothelium, as assessed by measurements of soluble cell adhesion molecules. DESIGN : E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured in serum from hypertensive patients with LV hypertrophy (64 with concentric and 47 with eccentric hypertrophy) and from two matched control groups consisting of 38 hypertensive patients without LV hypertrophy and 38 normotensive subjects. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was examined by ultrasonography and LV mass by echocardiography. Neurohormone activities of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system were also measured. RESULTS : E-selectin levels were higher in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects (56 +/- 19 versus 49 +/- 11 ng/ml, P = 0.031). Patients with concentric LV hypertrophy had higher levels of E-selectin (61 +/- 21 versus 49 +/- 15 ng/ml, P < 0.001), ICAM-1 (273 +/- 49 versus 254 +/- 49 ng/ml, P = 0.043), VCAM-1 (591 +/- 131 versus 544 +/- 78 ng/ml, P = 0.038) and greater carotid artery IMT (0.99 +/- 0.26 versus 0.83 +/- 0.15 mm, P = 0.018) than eccentric LV hypertrophy patients. E-selectin and VCAM-1 correlated positively to LV relative wall thickness (P = 0.040 and 0.037, respectively), with a similar trend for ICAM-1 (P = 0.083). E-selectin correlated with serum aldosterone (P < 0.001), and E-selectin and ICAM-1 with plasma angiotensin converting enzyme activity (P = 0.003 and 0.036, respectively). CONCLUSION : Increased levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules and an increased carotid artery IMT characterize concentric LV hypertrophy. This indicates perturbations at the vascular level, involving activation of the vascular endothelium in hypertensive patients with concentric LV hypertrophy.     

Regulation of adhesion molecule expression by human synovial microvascular endothelial cells in vitro

Objective. To examine the in vitro expression of E-selectin, P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), ICAM-2, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and platelet–endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1) by synovial microvascular endothelial cells (SMEC) in comparison with microvascular neonatal foreskin endothelial cells (FSE) and macrovascular human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVE). Methods. Cultured endothelial cells were treated for 4 hours with medium alone or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α). The expression of endothelial adhesion molecules was evaluated by flow cytometry, cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Northern blot analysis. Results. SMEC continuously expressed E-selectin under basal culture conditions, whereas FSE and HUVE did not. TNF α treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) SMEC resulted in sustained peak expression of E-selectin for up to 24 hours, which subsequently declined but remained elevated even at 72 hours. In contrast, peak E-selectin expression in FSE and HUVE occurred between 4 hours and 16 hours after TNF α treatment and then declined to near basal levels by 24–48 hours. SMEC expressed significantly higher levels of ICAM-1 compared with HUVE under basal culture conditions. There was no difference between SMEC, FSE, and HUVE in the expression of P-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-2, or PECAM-1. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the levels of E-selectin expression by TNF α-stimulated endothelial cells correlated with their respective messenger RNA levels. Conclusion. Regulation of E-selectin and ICAM-1 expression in RA synovial endothelium is different from that in neonatal foreskin and human umbilical vein endothelium. The augmented expression of adhesion molecules in RA synovial endothelium may facilitate the recruitment of leukocytes to this site.     

Effects of antioxidants and NO on TNF-alpha-induced adhesion molecule expression in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells

Pro-inflammatory cytokines initiate the vascular inflammatory response via upregulation of adhesion molecules on the endothelium. Recent observations suggest that reactive oxygen intermediates may play a pivotal role in TNF-alpha signaling and upregulate gene expression. We therefore evaluated the effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC; 0.1 mM) and spermine NONOate (Sper-NO; 1 mM) on adhesion molecule expression and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation induced by TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) in cultured human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC). Treatment of cells with TNF-alpha for 4 h significantly induced the surface expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1. Treatment with TNF-alpha for 8 h significantly induced the surface expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The upregulation of these adhesion molecules was suppressed significantly by pretreatment with PDTC or Sper-NO for 1 h. 8-Bromo-cyclic GMP (1 mM) had no such effect, suggesting that the NO donor's effect was non-cGMP-dependent. The mRNA expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and activation of NF-kappaB induced by TNF-alpha for 2 h were decreased significantly by the above two pretreatments. N-acetylcysteine (10 mM) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (1 mM) had little inhibitory effects on the cell surface and mRNA expression of these adhesion molecules stimulated by TNF-alpha. Treatment with TNF-alpha for 4 h enhanced HL-60 leukocyte adhesion to human PMVEC, the effect of which was inhibited significantly by pretreatment with PDTC or Sper-NO. These findings indicate that both cell surface and mRNA expression of adhesion molecules in human PMVEC induced by TNF-alpha are inhibited significantly by pretreatment with PDTC or Sper-NO, possibly in part through blocking the activation of NF-kappaB. Although our in vitro results cannot be directly extrapolated to the in vivo situation, they suggest a potential therapeutic approach for intervention in cytokine-mediated inflammatory processes in the human lung.     

Cell adhesion molecules in the development of inflammatory infiltrates in giant cell arteritis: inflammation-induced angiogenesis as the preferential site of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression pattern of adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on frozen temporal artery sections from 32 patients with biopsy-proven GCA and from 12 control patients with other diseases. Adhesion molecules identified were intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), ICAM-2, ICAM-3, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1), E-selectin, P-selectin, L-selectin, lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1), very late activation antigen 4 (VLA-4), Mac-1 (CD18/CD11b), and gp 150,95 (CD18/CD11c). Clinical and biochemical parameters of inflammation in the patients, as well as the duration of previous corticosteroid treatment, were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Constitutive (PECAM-1, ICAM-1, ICAM-2, and P-selectin) and inducible (E-selectin and VCAM-1) endothelial adhesion molecules for leukocytes were mainly expressed by adventitial microvessels and neovessels within inflammatory infiltrates. Concurrent analysis of leukocyte receptors indicated a preferential use of VLA-4/VCAM-1 and LFA-1/ICAM-1 at the adventitia and Mac-1/ICAM-1 at the intima-media junction. The intensity of inducible endothelial adhesion molecule expression (E-selectin and VCAM-1) correlated with the intensity of the systemic inflammatory response. Previous corticosteroid treatment reduced, but did not completely abrogate, the expression of the inducible endothelial adhesion molecules E-selectin and VCAM-1. CONCLUSION: Inflammation-induced angiogenesis is the main site of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions leading to the development of inflammatory infiltrates in GCA. The distribution of leukocyte-endothelial cell ligand pairs suggests a heterogeneity in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions used by different functional cell subsets at distinct areas of the temporal artery.     

High serum concentrations of soluble E-selectin correlate with obesity but not fat distribution in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Serum concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules, eg, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin are elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about the role of obesity or abnormal fat distribution in inducing upregulation of adhesion molecules. To investigate this issue, soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin levels were evaluated in 40 obese and 30 nonobese patients with type 2 diabetes. Both groups were matched for age, sex, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) levels. Computed tomography (CT) was used to measure the abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat areas. Soluble ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels did not differ significantly between obese and nonobese patients. However, serum concentrations of soluble E-selectin were significantly higher in obese than in nonobese patients (90 +/- 7 v 56 +/- 4 ng/mL, P <.01). Soluble E-selectin levels significantly correlated with body mass index, subcutaneous fat area, and visceral fat area (Rho = 0.48, 0.37, and 0.30, respectively). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that body mass index (F = 16.7), but not subcutaneous and visceral fat areas (F = 0.29 and 0.01, respectively), significantly and independently correlated with soluble E-selectin levels. Our results suggest that obesity may induce endothelial activation or increased shedding of cell surface E-selectin that leads to subsequent increase in soluble E-selectin levels. The high serum concentrations of E-selectin closely correlated with increased total fat volume, but not with regional fat distribution.     

Effect of Tribulus Terrestris L. on Expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-Selectin and Proteome Profile of Human Endothelial Cells In-Vitro

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammation that interferes with blood arteries functions due to the accumulation of low density lipids and cholesterol. Objective: To investigate the effect of aqueous extract and saponin fraction of Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) on the proteome and expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human bone marrow endothelial cell (HBMEC) lines. Methods: Two cell lines were cultured and induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The primed cells were then treated with aqueous extract and saponin fraction of TT. The protein profile of the endothelial cells was assessed under normal and LPS-induced conditions using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and 2D gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin were estimated by use of western blotting. Results: LPS-induced HUVECs and HBMECs were shown to significantly increase the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin in comparison to control groups. Our findings revealed that TT extract resulted in significantly more reduced levels of proteom (80 spots) as well as all the three mentioned proteins compared with the effect of saponin fraction alone. Conclusion: TT extract and its saponin fraction exerted anti-inflammatory effects on HUVEC and HBMEC lines and reduced the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extract was greater than that of saponin fraction. Therefore, TT could be considered as a potential candidate for the treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis.     

Patterns of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in rabbit and mouse atherosclerotic lesions and at sites predisposed to lesion formation.

The recruitment of mononuclear leukocytes and formation of intimal macrophage-rich lesions at specific sites of the arterial tree are key events in atherogenesis. Inducible endothelial cell adhesion molecules may participate in this process. In aortas of normal chow-fed wild-type mice and rabbits, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), but not E-selectin, were expressed by endothelial cells in regions predisposed to atherosclerotic lesion formation. En face confocal microscopy of the mouse ascending aorta and proximal arch demonstrated that VCAM-1 expression was increased on the endothelial cell surface in lesion-prone areas. ICAM-1 expression extended into areas protected from lesion formation. Hypercholesterolemia induced atherosclerotic lesion formation in rabbits, LDL receptor and apolipoprotein E knockout mice, and Northern blot analysis demonstrated increased steady-state mRNA levels of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, but not of E-selectin. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were expressed predominantly by endothelium in early lesions and by intimal cells in more advanced lesions. In early and advanced lesions, staining was most intense in endothelial cells at and adjacent to lesion borders. ICAM-1 staining extended into the uninvolved aorta. These expression patterns were highly reproducible in both species. The only difference was that VCAM-1 expression in endothelium over the central portions of lesions was found frequently in rabbits and rarely in mice. The expression of VCAM-1 by arterial endothelium in normal animals may represent a pathogenic mechanism or a phenotypic marker of predisposition to atherogenesis.