红花黄素对大鼠肺动脉内皮细胞P-选择素及ICAM-1表达的影响

目的观察红花黄素在缺氧复氧条件下对大鼠肺动脉内皮细胞P-选择素(Ps)及细胞间黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)基因表达的影响。方法采用细胞培养、RT-PCR、W estern b lot、免疫细胞化学染色法等技术,观察在常氧、缺氧、复氧及红花黄素干预等不同条件下大鼠肺动脉内皮细胞Ps、ICAM-1 mRNA及蛋白表达的变化。结果常氧组细胞1、6、12 h各个时间点,Ps、ICAM-1 mRNA及蛋白表达水平没有明显变化,缺氧组的各个时间点Ps、ICAM-1表达水平与同时间点常氧组相比无统计学差异(P分别>0.05)。缺氧1 h后再给氧1、6、12 h,Ps、ICAM-1 mRNA及蛋白的表达均明显高于相同时间点常氧组与缺氧组(P分别<0.05);缺氧1 h后再给氧同时给予红花黄素干预组Ps、ICAM-1 mRNA及蛋白的表达均明显低于相同时间点单纯缺氧复氧组(P分别<0.05)。结论单纯缺氧状态下大鼠肺动脉血管内皮细胞Ps、ICAM-1表达无明显变化,缺氧复氧条件下Ps、ICAM-1表达上调,红花黄素可抑制缺氧复氧条件下Ps、ICAM-1的过度表达。     

OX-LDL诱导内皮细胞条件培养液对内皮细胞VCAM-1和 ICAM-1的影响

目的探讨受损内皮细胞的自分泌和旁分泌对内皮细胞自身的影响。方法利用正常内皮细胞条件培养液和用氧化型低密度脂蛋白(OX-LDL)诱导内皮细胞的条件培养液分别作用于正常内皮细胞和受损内皮细胞,用酶联免疫细胞化学法检测血管内皮细胞黏附分子-1(VCAM-1)和细胞间黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)表达的变化。结果正常内皮细胞的条件培养液和OX-LDL诱导的内皮细胞条件培养液对正常内皮细胞VCAM-1和ICAM-1的表达作用不明显(P>0.05),而对受损内皮细胞VCAM-1和ICAM-1的表达具有明显的下调作用(P<0.01)。结论正常和受到氧化损伤的内皮细胞的自分泌和旁分泌作用对正常内皮细胞黏附分子没有影响,而对受损内皮细胞黏附分子有下调作用,说明内皮细胞可通过下调黏附分子的表达来实现自身的抗损伤作用。     

脓毒症大鼠肺血管内皮细胞、细胞间粘附分子1和E-选择素的变化及其意义

目的:观察脓毒症大鼠肺血管内皮细胞(VEC)、细胞间黏附分子1和E-选择素的变化特点并探讨其意义.方法:60只SD大鼠随机分成对照组和脓毒症组.以脂多糖(LPS)静脉注射制备大鼠脓毒症模型,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫组织化学方法研究ICAM-1和E-选择素的表达;用Hoechest染色评价肺VEC凋亡;用电子显微镜观察肺VEC.结果:脓毒症组大鼠肺ICAM-1 mRNA和ICAM-1蛋白的表达与对照组比较明显增加(P<0.01),脓毒症组ICAM-1 mRNA和ICAM-1蛋白的表达6小时增高,24小时达到高峰;E-选择素表达6小时达高峰,以后逐渐下降,24小时后降至对照组相同水平.脓毒症组肺VEC随着制模时间的延长,坏死和凋亡显著增加(P<0.01),电子显微镜观察也得到证实.结论:脓毒症大鼠肺ICAM-1和E-选择素的表达明显增加,可能导致肺VEC的坏死和凋亡以及急性肺损伤(ALI)和急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)的发生.     

缺氧与复氧对培养的肺动脉内皮细胞功能的影响

缺氧与复氧均可引起肺血管收缩和损伤，本研究观察肺血管内皮细胞活力和血管紧张素转换酶（ＡＣＥ）释放在其中的作用。培养的新生小牛肺动脉内皮细胞（ＰＡＥＣ）在缺氧条件下（０％Ｏ２－９５％Ｎ２）培养６～２４ｈ，其上清液ＡＣＥ活性无显著变化，而细胞活力于缺氧１２～２４ｈ显著增加（与常氧组相比增加２０％～３３％，Ｐ＜０．０５）。ＰＡＥＣ在缺氧条件下培养２４ｈ，复氧培养３～６ｈ后其上清液ＡＣＥ活性显著增加（与常氧组和缺氧组相比Ｐ＜０．０１），于１２ｈ恢复至复氧前的水平。细胞活力的变化与ＡＣＥ的变化类似，复氧３～６ｈ显著高于常氧水平（Ｐ＜０．０１与常氧组相比），１２ｈ恢复至正常。上述结果表明ＰＡＥＣ的ＡＣＥ和细胞活力的变化可能对肺动脉壁本身ＲＡＳ功能的调节及缺氧性肺血管收缩的发生起一定作用。     

血管紧张素-(1-7)对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的脐静脉内皮细胞MCP-1和ICAM-1表达的影响

目的：研究血管紧张素-(1-7)［Ang-(1-7)］对血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）诱导的脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVEC）单核细胞趋化蛋白-1（MCP-1）和细胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）的影响,阐明Ang-(1-7)对AngⅡ在炎症方面的拮抗作用。方法:体外培养HUVEC,随机分为：对照组;AngⅡ组;Ang-(1-7)组;AngⅡ+Ang-(1-7)组;AngⅡ+Ang-(1-7)+Ang-(1-7)受体阻断剂A-779组。以ELISA法和半定量RT-PCR法从蛋白和mRNA水平检测MCP-1和ICAM-1的表达情况。结果:与对照组比,AngⅡ（100nmol/L）使MCP-1和ICAM-1的蛋白和mRNA表达明显增加（P0.05）;加入A-779组与AngⅡ组比较无显著差异（P>0.05）。结论:Ang-(1-7)通过其特异性受体MAS拮抗AngⅡ诱导的HUVECMCP-1和ICAM-1的表达,并呈浓度依赖性。     

犀角地黄汤合银翘散对流感病毒感染的小鼠肺组织及大鼠肺微血管内皮细胞ICAM-1和VCAM-1表达的影响

目的：研究中医经典合方犀角地黄汤合银翘散(XDY)对流感病毒性肺炎小鼠肺组织及对流感病毒感染的大鼠肺微血管内皮细胞(RPMVECs)中细胞间黏附分子1（ICAM-1）和血管细胞黏附分子1（VCAM-1）表达的影响,探讨其治疗病毒性肺炎的机制。方法：54只雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为正常组、模型组和XDY组,每组18只,后2组以流感病毒滴鼻感染,XDY组灌胃给予XDY;在感染后的2、4和6d分别取材,免疫组化法观察肺组织中ICAM-1和VCAM-1表达。从雄性Wistar大鼠中分离并原代培养RPMVECs,设置正常组、病毒组、病毒+XDY含药血清组、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）组和TNF-α+XDY含药血清组;刺激因素作用24h后,real-timePCR检测ICAM-1和VCAM-1mRNA水平,流式细胞术检测ICAM-1和VCAM-1蛋白表达。结果：与正常组比较,模型组肺组织中ICAM-1和VCAM-1表达持续增多(P<0.01),而XDY组的表达均低于模型组(P<0.01);与正常组比较,流感病毒和TNF-α作用的RPMVECs中ICAM-1和VCAM-1mRNA及蛋白表达明显升高(P<0.01),XDY能下调ICAM-1和VCAM-1mRNA及蛋白表达(P<0.01)。结论：抑制流感病毒感染导致的RPMVECs黏附分子的表达从而抑制机体的炎症级联反应可能是XDY治疗流感病毒性肺炎的作用机制之一。     

实验性大鼠肺血栓栓塞症中ICAM-1,P-选择素的变化及当归注射液的影响

目的动态观察大鼠肺血栓栓塞症(PTE)中血管内皮上细胞间黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)和P-选择素(P-selectin,Ps)的变化,探讨当归注射液对其的影响。方法颈静脉注入自体血凝块制备动物模型。将SD大鼠随机分为正常组、栓塞模型组和当归注射液治疗组。行病理分析,免疫组化和原位杂交法检测肺血管内皮上ICAM-1和Ps的蛋白表达水平和mRNA水平。结果肺栓塞后病理可见肺动脉血栓形成,炎性反应明显。肺血管内皮上ICAM-1表达及mRNA含量在栓塞后3h开始增高(P<0.01),Ps表达及mRNA含量在栓塞后1h开始增高(P<0.01)。当归注射液治疗后,病理损伤减轻,肺血管内皮上ICAM-1和Ps的水平均下降(P<0.01)。结论当归注射液可以减轻大鼠PTE时的肺损伤,这种作用可能是通过下调血管内皮上的黏附分子来实现的。     

大肠癌患者血清可溶性P-选择素和细胞间黏附分子-1的表达及意义

目的 探讨大肠癌患者手术前后血清可溶性P-选择素（sP-selectin）、细胞间黏附分子-1（sICAM-1）的表达及临床意义。方法 采用ELISA检测30例大肠癌患者术前、术后15日、术后30日及20例对照组血清sP—selectin、sICAM-1的表达水平。结果 ①大肠癌患者血清sP—selectin、sICAM-1的表达水平均显著高于对照组，P〈0.05；术后15日下降，仍高于对照组水平，P〈005；术后30日降至对照组水平，P〉0．05；②大肠癌患者血清sP-selectin、sICAM-1的表达水平与淋巴结转移和临床分期相关，P〈0．05，与年龄、性别、肿瘤大小厦组织学分级无明显相关。P〉O．05。结论 sPselectin、slCAM-1参与了大肠癌侵袭转移过程，是反映大肠癌的发生、发展及预后的一个重要指标。     

肝移植患者血清白细胞介素-6、细胞间粘附分子-1和P-选择素高水平表达分析

目的：研究白细胞介素-6、肿瘤坏死因子-α及细胞间粘附分子-1和P-选择素在稳定存活的肝移植受者血清中的表达程度。方法：ELISA法检测22例原位肝移植患者和12例正常人血清白细胞介素-6、肿瘤坏死因子-α及细胞间粘附分子-1和P-选择素表达情况。流式细胞术分析外周血T细胞表型。同时对近期6例临床原位肝移植病例进行动态观察。结果：肝移植病人外周血CD3+、CD4+、CD8+T细胞百分比以及CD4+/CD8+比值与正常人组间比较无明显差异（P>0.05）,但肝移植组CD3+CD25+T细胞百分比明显高于正常人组（P<0.05）。白细胞介素-6、细胞间粘附分子-1和P-选择素水平肝移植组显著高于正常人组（P<0.05）。近期6例临床原位肝移植病例血清白细胞介素-6、肿瘤坏死因子-α及细胞间粘附分子-1和P-选择素水平的动态观察,未发现规律性变化。结论：细胞间粘附分子-1和P-选择素参与了肝移植后效应T细胞的活化过程,肿瘤坏死因子-α和白细胞介素-6则可能分别介导了对移植物的免疫损伤和修复。     

切应力和溶血磷脂酰胆碱对内皮细胞表面黏附分子表达的影响

在体内 ,内皮细胞的功能不仅受化学因子的调节 ,而且还受力学因素的影响。为探讨流体切应力和溶血磷脂酰胆碱 ( L ysophosphatidylcholine,L yso- PC)的双重作用对培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞 ( Hum an um bilical veinendothelial cells,HU VECs)表面黏附分子 ICAM- 1、VCAM- 1、E- selectin表达的影响 ,采用流式细胞仪技术检测了L yso- PC( 3 0 μg/m l)和流体切应力 ( 2 .2 3、4.2 0 dyne/cm2 )的协同作用下内皮细胞黏附分子表达的变化。结果显示 :在受剪切作用之前 ,用 L yso- PC孵育激活内皮细胞 ,或预先剪切后再用 L yso- PC孵育 ,内皮细胞的 ICAM- 1和VCAM- 1表达与两种刺激同时作用相比 ,显著增加 ( P<0 .0 5 ) ;切应力或 L yso- PC的单独作用 ,以及两种刺激同时存在对 HU VEC的 E- selectin表达无显著影响。而在受剪切作用之前 ,用 L yso- PC孵育激活内皮细胞 ,或预先剪切后再用 L yso- PC孵育 ,内皮细胞的 E- selectin表达与两种刺激同时作用相比 ,显著增加 ( P<0 .0 5 )。结论认为 :即使在不利于细胞黏附的力学环境中 ,流体切应力与 L yso- PC的协同作用 ,也可能是在炎症部位单核细胞对内皮细胞募集增加的重要原因之一     

氟伐他汀单用及与安体舒通联用对兔相关炎症因子及基质金属蛋白酶-9的影响

目的探讨他汀类药物单用及联用醛固酮拮抗剂安体舒通对兔颈动脉组织ICAM-1、VCAM-1及MMP-9表达的影响。方法高脂饲养兔建立动物模型。96只新西兰兔分为对照组、高脂饮食组、氟伐他汀处理组（氟伐他汀组）以及氟伐他汀与安体舒通联合处理组（联合处理组）,每组24只。用免疫组织化学法检测ICAM-1、VCAM-1、MMP-9表达量。结果氟伐他汀组和联合处理组ICAM-1、VCAM-1及MMP-9的表达随时间的增加而逐渐降低（P〈0.05）,且在治疗8周和12周时降低较为显著（P〈0.05）。结论随着高脂饲养时间的延长,动脉组织中ICAM-1、VCAM-1及MMP-9表达量增加;他汀类药物可降低ICAM-1、VCAM-1及MMP-9表达量,延缓动脉粥样硬化形成及易损组织产生,联合醛固酮拮抗剂时此作用增强。     

Inhibition of endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression with SJC13, an azaindolidine derivative,in vitro

Stimulation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces adherences for human promyelocytic cell line HL60. Adherence of HL60 cells to HUVEC stimulated with LPS for 4h was completely inhibited by pretreatment with SJC13, an azaindolidine derivative. The mechanism whereby SJC13 inhibits the adhesiveness of HUVEC was investigated. Pretreatment of SJC13 inhibited LPS-induced expression of E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), but not intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), in HUVEC, determined by flow cytometry and cellular enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cell-ELISA). The inhibitory activity was concentration dependent between 62.5 and 1,000 g/ml. SJC13 also selectively inhibited LPS-induced increases in E-selectin and VACM-1 mRNAs, indicating that the action of SJC13 is to inhibit synthesis of these molecules. These data demonstrate that SJC13 is capable of selectively inhibiting the expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1, but not ICAM-1, in endothelial cells.accepted by I. Ahnfelt-Rønne     

sICAM-1和sVCAM-1与乙肝病毒标志物关系的研究

目的探讨可溶性血管内皮细胞问黏附分子1(sVCAM-1)和可溶性细胞问黏附分子1(sICAM-1)的水平与乙肝病毒标志物之间的关系。方法用ELISA法测定乙肝病毒标志物、sVCAM-1、sICAM-1，用PER法定量测定HBV-DNA的含量。结果HBVM阳性者，除HBsAb阳性者外，其血清sVCAM-1、sICAM-1水平较全阴性者均有较明显的升高，但升高的各组间无明显差异；sICAM-1与ALT呈正相关(r=0．652)，与HBA-DNA呈负相关(r=-0．498)；sVCAM-1与ALT、HBV-DNA的相关系数r分别为0．191、-0．027。结论1、乙肝病毒感染者血清sVCAM-1、sICAM-1有明显的升高，各组间无明显差异。2、sICAM-1的水平可以反应肝脏的损害程度和HBV-DNA的复制情况。     

厄贝沙坦对实验性糖尿病大鼠肾脏保护作用及对ICAM-1与VCAM-1表达的影响

目的:从影响细胞间粘附分子-1(ICAM-1)和血管细胞粘附分子-1(VCAM-1)表达的角度,探讨厄贝沙坦对实验性糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用及其可能机制。方法:Wistar大鼠24只,随机分为对照组、模型组、药物组,每组8只。链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导糖尿病大鼠模型,药物组大鼠每日给予厄贝沙坦150mg/kg灌胃,持续8周。8周后抽血测空腹血糖(FBG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Scr);测定24h尿微量白蛋白(mAlb),计算尿白蛋白排泄率(UAER)。处死Wistar大鼠,取其肾脏,计算肾脏肥大指数,用免疫组化方法检测ICAM-1,蛋白质印迹法(Westernblot)检测VCAM-1蛋白表达水平。结果:模型组和药物组的FBG、HbA1c、BUN、Scr均高于对照组,上述指标在模型组与药物组之间无统计学差异。模型组UAER高于对照组,而药物组则低于模型组。药物组ICAM-1与VCAM-1蛋白表达量低于模型组。结论:厄贝沙坦对实验性糖尿病大鼠的肾脏有保护作用,其机制可能是通过抑制ICAM-1与VCAM-1在肾脏的表达来实现的。     

Effect of palmitic acid and linoleic acid on expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in human bone marrow endothelial cells (HBMECs)

Introduction

The amount and type of fatty acids (FAs) in the diet influence the risk of atherosclerosis. Palmitic acid and linoleic acid exist at high levels in Iranian edible oils. In this study, we investigated the effect of palmitic acid and linoleic acid on expression of soluble and cell-associated forms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in human bone marrow endothelial cells (HBMECs).

Material and methods

The endothelial cells were induced with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and thereafter incubated with palmitic or linoleic acid. The level of soluble and cell-associated VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were analyzed using ELISA and western blot.

Results

Our findings indicated that palmitic acid up-regulates the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HBMECs when these cells are induced with TNF-α or LPS. In addition, the results suggest that linoleic acid could sustain up-regulated ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in activated endothelial cells.

Conclusions

Chronic activation of endothelial cells in the presence of palmitic and linoleic may account for pathogenesis of cardiovascular events. These findings provide further support for the detrimental effects of these fatty acids, especially palmitic acid, in promotion and induction of cardiovascular diseases which are prevalent in the Iranian population.     

脱氢表雄酮抑制高脂诱导的兔主动脉及人脐静脉内皮细胞细胞间黏附分子1的表达

目的:探讨脱氢表雄酮对高脂诱导的兔主动脉及人脐静脉内皮细胞细胞间黏附分子1(ICAM-1)表达的影响,以及全反式维甲酸(ATRA)在这一过程中的作用。方法:细胞实验:将培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)分为正常对照组、氧化型低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)组、ox-LDL+DHEA组、ox-LDL+DHEA+ATRA组和DHEA组。各组细胞均加入相应药物作用24 h,采用RT-PCR和细胞酶联免疫吸附法检测各组细胞ICAM-1 m RNA及蛋白的表达情况。动物实验:将大耳白兔分为正常对照组、高脂组、高脂+DHEA组、高脂+DHEA+ATRA组和DHEA组。各组白兔均用相应饲料喂饲10周后处死动物,采用RT-PCR和免疫组织化学等方法检测各组白兔主动脉ICAM-1的m RNA及蛋白的表达情况。结果:细胞实验:ox-LDL组ICAM-1的表达明显高于正常对照组(P0.05);与ox-LDL组相比,ox-LDL+DHEA组ICAM-1的表达明显降低(P0.05);DHEA组与正常对照组ICAM-1的表达无显著差异(P0.05);ox-LDL+DHEA+ATRA组与ox-LDL+DHEA组ICAM-1的表达无显著差异(P0.05)。动物实验:高脂组主动脉ICAM-1的表达明显高于正常对照组(P0.05);与高脂组相比,高脂+DHEA组ICAM-1的表达明显降低(P0.05);DHEA组与正常对照组ICAM-1的表达无显著差异(P0.05);高脂+DHEA+ATRA组与高脂+DHEA组ICAM-1的表达无显著差异(P0.05)。结论:DHEA能够抑制高脂诱导的兔主动脉及人脐静脉内皮细胞ICAM-1的表达,这可能是其抗动脉粥样硬化的机制之一,而全反式维甲酸对DHEA的这一作用并无明显增强作用。     

人白介素- 4对牛血管内皮细胞保护作用的研究

目的:研究人白介素-4(hIL-4)对经TNF-α活化的牛主动脉内皮细胞(BAEC)的保护作用。方法:用不同浓度的hIL-4与BAEC共孵育2h后,再与4μg/L的TNF-α共孵育6h或18h。应用细胞ELISA方法,检测BAEC表面的E选择素和ICAM-1的表达;用MTT比色法测定hIL-4对BAEC活性的影响。结果:在一定浓度内用hIL-4预处理BAEC后,能明显抑制TNF-α诱导活化BAEC上的E选择素与ICAM-1的表达,并呈现一定的剂量依赖性。用MTT比色法测定BAEC活性的实验表明,各实验组BAEC的活性与对照组无明显差异性。结论:hIL-4能明显抑制TNF-α诱导活化的BAEC表达E选择素与ICAM-1;hIL-4对BAEC的正常功能具有一定的保护作用。     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression and function on cultured human glomerular epithelial cells.

Glomerular epithelial cells are involved in extracapillary inflammation (crescents) but the mechanisms of this extracapillary accumulation of macrophages, epithelial cells and occasional lymphocytes are unknown. Human glomerular parietal epithelial cells express ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on immunohistological stains of renal biopsies. We studied the expression of these cell adhesion molecules on cultured human glomerular epithelial cells (HGEC), their regulation by pro-inflammatory cytokines, and their role in mediating the adhesion of concanavalin A (Con A)-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Human glomerular epithelial cells in culture constitutively express ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The expression of ICAM-1 was not significantly altered by tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (P = 0.32), IL-1 beta (P = 0.24), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (P = 0.66) or IL-4 (P = 0.85). VCAM-1 expression was increased by all four cytokines, but only significantly so by IL-4 (P = 0.0001). Con A-stimulated, monocyte-depleted peripheral blood lymphocytes bound to human glomerular epithelial cells, median 28.9% (range 14.5-37.9%). This adherence was significantly inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 (P = 0.03) and anti-LFA-1 (P = 0.02), but not by anti-VCAM-1 (P = 0.13) or by antibody to von Willebrand factor (P = NS). The interaction between ICAM-1 on HGEC and LFA-1 on mononuclear cells may be important in the pathogenesis of extracapillary inflammation in glomerulonephritis.     

Inhibition of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), soluble ICAM-1 and interleukin-4 by nitric oxide expression in migraine patients

 The mechanisms of the postulated ”sterile” inflammation in migraine were studied utilizing flow cytometry (intercellular adhesion molecule 1, ICAM-1; interleukin-1 receptor, IL-1R) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, sICAM-1; interleukin-4, IL-4). Twenty patients suffering from migraine without aura, 20 healthy subjects, and 10 patients suffering from episodic tension headache were selected. All of the migraine patients were studied during a migraine crisis experimentally induced by the administration of isosorbide dinitrate (a nitric oxide donor), and 10 out the 20 were also studied during a spontaneous migraine attack. A sharp decrease in the expression of ICAM-1 (F=5.09, p<0.001 and F=2.46, p<0.05, respectively), sICAM-1 1 (F=6.21, p<0.0001 and F=3.99, p<0.007, respectively) and serum IL-4 (F=6.23, p<0.001 and F=3.64, p<0.01, respectively) were observed in experimentally induced and spontaneous migraine attacks. There was no change with respect to IL-IR 1 receptor expression values. The two control groups, tested with the same experimental procedure, showed no changes in ICAM-1 and IL-1R or in in sICAM-1 and IL-4. Our data suggest that migraine patients are more sensitive to exogenous NO than controls. In addition, our results indicate that experimental migraine crisis, induced by an NO donor, is mediated by the inhibition of IL-4 and subsequently of ICAM-1. It is likely that the described ICAM-1 downregulation inhibits during a migraine attack the critical step of transendothelial migration into the cerebral tissues of activated leukocytes, as proposed in the ”sterile inflammation” hypothesis. Received: 17 April 1996 / Accepted: 30 December 1996