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J S Alexander

Publications and source records attributed to J S Alexander.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

ICAM-3 (CD50) cross-linking augments signaling in CD3-activated peripheral human T lymphocytes.

ICAM-3 is a pan-hematopoietic, constitutive adhesion molecule. ICAM-3 binds to LFA-1 on antigen-presenting cells (APC) stabilizing the T cell-APC interaction, facilitating signaling through the CD3/TCR complex. However, recent evidence using cultured and transformed T cells suggests ICAM-3 may also function in signaling. Because ICAM-3 is constitutively expressed on resting T cells, we postulated that signaling through ICAM-3 in resting T cells represents an important costimulatory mechanism in these cells. In purified resting human T cells, cross-linking both ICAM-3 and CD3 with plate-bound antibodies resulted in a marked increase in cell size (consistent with blastogenesis), synergistically increased surface expression of CD25 and CD69, and increased T cell metabolism. Similarly, concomitant ICAM-3 and CD3 stimulation significantly (P < 0.001) increased resting human T cell phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and phospholipase C-gamma1 phosphorylation. These results indicate that ICAM-3 augments signaling through CD3, functioning as a costimulatory molecule for resting T cells in the initial activation step.

Antigens, CD↗

Intracellular mechanisms of hydrogen peroxide-mediated neutrophil adherence to cultured human endothelial cells.

We examined which endothelial second messengers are involved in peroxide-mediated endothelial-neutrophil adhesion with respect to endothelial P-selectin expression and platelet-activating factor (PAF). Peroxide (0.5 mM)-mediated adhesion was blocked by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, Gö6976 (10 nM); an intracellular calcium chelator, TMB-8 (0.1 mM); and a protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor, KT5823 (0.5 microM); but not by a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (1 microM), or a protein kinase A inhibitor, H-89 (0.1 microM). These data were consistent with the proadhesive effects of PMA (0.1 microM), a PKC activator; a calcium ionophore, A23187 (1 microM); and dibutyryl cGMP (0.5 and 1 mM); but not phenylarsine oxide (0.1 mM), a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, or dibutyryl cAMP (1 mM). Conversely, peroxide-mediated P-selectin expression was blocked by Gö6976 and KT5823, but not by TMB-8. These data are strengthened by the observation that PMA and dibutyryl cGMP, but not A23187, increased P-selectin expression. WEB 2086 (10 microM), a PAF-receptor antagonist, blocked peroxide-, PMA-, and A23187-mediated adhesion, but not peroxide-mediated P-selectin expression. PAF itself (10 nM) stimulated adhesion, but not P-selectin expression. These data indicate that PKC and PKG are involved in peroxide-mediated neutrophil adhesion via P-selectin mobilization and PAF synthesis; however, intracellular calcium appears to mediate adhesion only through PAF synthesis.

Azepines↗

Exogenous nitric oxide increases neutrophil adhesion to cultured human endothelial monolayers through a protein kinase G dependent mechanism.

Endothelial-neutrophil adhesion is a critical step in acute inflammatory diseases, which is mediated in part by P-selectin and platelet-activating factor (PAF). Nitric oxide (NO) is well known as an endogenous second messenger derived from endothelial cells, and regulates many important physiological events, however, the direct effects of NO on endothelial-neutrophil adhesion is less well understood. The objective of this study was to examine whether, and how relatively high levels of exogenous NO increases neutrophil adhesion with respect to P-selectin and PAF. Endothelial monolayers were exposed to chemical agents for 30 min, and the adhesion of 51Cr-labeled neutrophils measured in a static adhesion assay. Spermine-NONOate (SNO), an NO donor, significantly increased neutrophil adhesion and expression of P-selectin at a concentration of 1 mM. SNO (1 mM)-mediated neutrophil adhesion was significantly inhibited by a protein kinase G inhibitor, KT5823 (0.5 microM), but not by a classical protein kinase C inhibitor, Gö6976 (10 nM), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (1 microM), or a protein kinase A inhibitor, H-89 (0.1 microM). P-selectin surface expression induced by 1 mM SNO was also significantly inhibited by 0.5 microM KT5823. Conversely, a cytoplasm calcium chelator, TMB-8 (0.1 mM), significantly exacerbated both the neutrophil adhesion and P-selectin expression induced by SNO. WEB 2086 (10 microM), a PAF receptor antagonist, blocked neutrophil adhesion, but did not block P-selectin expression induced by SNO. These data suggest that NO increases endothelial-neutrophil adhesion through protein kinase G-mediated P-selectin mobilization to the cell surface and endothelial PAF synthesis.

Azepines↗

Polynitroxyl alphaalpha-hemoglobin (PNH) inhibits peroxide and superoxide-mediated neutrophil adherence to human endothelial cells.

Experimental hemoglobin-based O2 carriers e.g. cross-linked alphaalpha-hemoglobin (alphaalpha-Hb), are under investigation as potential blood substitutes. However, some Hb-based products form strong oxidant species in vivo that may cause adverse clinical effects. We report the prototype of a new class of modified Hb-based O2 carrier, polynitroxylated alphaalpha-Hb (PNH), which has antioxidant activities that may reduce inflammatory effects mediated by oxidant formation. We compared the effects of alphaalpha-Hb and PNH on xanthine oxidase and H2O2-induced neutrophil-endothelial adhesion in vitro. Both peroxide (>0.1 mM), and superoxide/peroxide generated by xanthine oxidase (XO) (> 10 mU/ml) + 0.1 mM xanthine (X), increased endothelial-neutrophil adhesion. At 30 microM, alphaalpha-Hb significantly increased X/XO-mediated adhesion, while PNH inhibited peroxide or X/XO induced adhesion, with maximal inhibition at 10 microM PNH. These data indicate that PNH has antioxidant-anti-inflammatory properties that suggest its use as a potentially safer blood substitute in reperfusion injury, stroke, myocardial infarction and other forms of inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Organ preservation solutions increase endothelial permeability and promote loss of junctional proteins.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the organ preservation solutions UW and Plegisol on endothelial permeability; occludin and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin content in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC); and junctional localization of these proteins after exposure to these solutions. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Organ preservation for transplantation is limited by several challenges, including loss of tissue function, tissue injury, and tissue edema. Occludin and VE-cadherin are responsible for maintaining and regulating the endothelial solute barrier. Several studies have noted organ edema and dysfunction with preservation, as well as gaps between endothelial cells suggesting that disorganization of junctional proteins (e.g., occludin and VE-cadherin) is responsible for interstitial edema. METHODS: HUVEC monolayers were treated with 4 degrees C UW and Plegisol for 3 and 6 hours and then reperfused with normal buffer. Permeability was examined using FITC-dextran tracer during the reperfusion phase. Occludin and VE-cadherin content at different time points was measured by Western blotting. Treated groups were also examined by immunofluorescence for occludin, VE-cadherin, and F-actin. RESULTS: Compared with untreated controls, cold preservation for 3 and 6 hours increased endothelial permeability after rewarming, which appears to depend on the duration of cold exposure. Monolayers exposed to 3 hours of cold preservation did not have increased permeability in the first hour after rewarming but had significantly increased permeability after the first hour and all subsequent time points. Monolayers exposed to 6 hours of cold preservation had increased permeability after the first hour and at all later time points. Western blotting demonstrated that occludin content was decreased to a similar extent with all solutions after 3 hours of cold preservation. Six hours of cold preservation in Plegisol reduced the occludin content significantly compared with UW and control. VE-cadherin content was unchanged after 3 hours of cold preservation but was dramatically reduced in all groups at 6 hours. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated junctional gap formation and discontinuous staining of occludin and VE-cadherin with all cold preservation protocols; changes in F-actin organization were observed at 3 and 6 hours after cold preservation. CONCLUSION: The changes in occludin, VE-cadherin, and F-actin content and organization and increased permeability associated with cold storage demonstrate that alterations of the tight and adherens junctions may underlie organ edema associated with cold organ preservation. These data also suggest that novel strategies to maintain the content and integrity of endothelial junctional proteins may provide an important therapeutic avenue for organ preservation.

Adenosine↗

Effect of selective proteasome inhibitors on TNF-induced activation of primary and transformed endothelial cells.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of two structurally distinct yet selective proteasome inhibitors (PS-341 and lactacystin) on leukocyte adhesion, endothelial cell adhesion molecule (ECAM) expression, and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the transformed, HUVEC-derived, ECV cell line. We found that TNF (10 ng/ml) significantly enhanced U-937 and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) adhesion to HUVEC but not to ECV; TNF also significantly enhanced surface expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and E-selectin (in HUVEC only), as well as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1; in HUVEC and ECV). Pretreatment of HUVEC with lactacystin completely blocked TNF-stimulated PMN adhesion, partially blocked U-937 adhesion, and completely blocked TNF-stimulated ECAM expression. Lactacystin attenuated TNF-stimulated ICAM-1 expression in ECV. Pretreatment of HUVEC with PS-341 partially blocked TNF-stimulated leukocyte adhesion and ECAM expression. These effects of lactacystin and PS-341 were associated with inhibitory effects on TNF-stimulated NF-kappaB activation in both HUVEC and ECV. Our results demonstrate the importance of the 26S proteasome in TNF-induced activation of NF-kappaB, ECAM expression, and leukocyte-endothelial adhesive interactions in vitro.

Acetylcysteine↗

Hypoxia/aglycemia increases endothelial permeability: role of second messengers and cytoskeleton.

The effects of hypoxia/aglycemia on microvascular endothelial permeability were evaluated, and the second messenger systems and the cytoskeletal-junctional protein alterations in this response were also examined. Monolayers of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells on microcarrier beads were exposed to either thioglycolic acid (5 mM, an O(2) chelator), glucose-free medium, or both stresses together. Permeability measurements were performed over a 90-min time course. Although neither hypoxia alone nor aglycemia alone increased endothelial permeability significantly, the combination of both increased significantly as early as 15 min. Intracellular Ca(2+) measurements with fura 2-AM showed that hypoxia/aglycemia treatment increased Ca(2+) influx. To determine the second messengers involved in increased permeability, monolayers were incubated for 30 min with the cytosolic Ca(2+) scavenger 3,4, 5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)octyl ester (TMB-8, 0.1 mM), a classical protein kinase C (PKC) blocker, Gö-6976 (10 nM), a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) antagonist, KT-5823 (0.5 microM), or the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor PD-98059 (20 microM). Hypoxia/aglycemia-mediated permeability changes were blocked by chelating cell Ca(2+), PKC blockade, PKG blockade, and by inhibiting p38 MAP kinase-1. Finally, changes in the binding of junctional proteins to the cytoskeleton under the same conditions were assessed. The concentrations of occludin and pan-reactive cadherin binding to the cytoskeleton were significantly decreased by only both stresses together. However, these effects were also blocked by pretreatment with TMB-8, Gö-6976, KT-5823 (not in occludin), and PD-98059. These data suggest that hypoxia/aglycemia-mediated endothelial permeability may occur through PKC, PKG, MAP kinase, and Ca(2+) related to dissociation of cadherin-actin and occludin-actin junctional bonds.

Alkaloids↗

Differential monocyte adhesion and adhesion molecule expression in venous and arterial endothelial cells.

We compared U-937 cell adhesion and adhesion molecule expression in human umbilical venous (HUVECs) and arterial (HUAECs) endothelial cells exposed to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TNF and LPS stimulated vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 surface expression and adhesion of U-937 monocyte-like cells to HUVECs but not to HUAECs. Antibody studies demonstrated that in HUVECs at least 75% of the adhesion response is VCAM-1 mediated. Interleukin-1 stimulated U-937 cell adhesion to and VCAM-1 surface expression in both HUVECs and HUAECs. Pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 blocked TNF- and LPS-stimulated U-937 cell adhesion to HUVECs. These agents also significantly decreased TNF- and LPS-stimulated increases in HUVEC surface VCAM-1. TNF increased VCAM-1 protein and mRNA in HUVECs that was blocked by pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate. However, neither TNF or LPS stimulated VCAM-1 expression in HUAECs. TNF stimulated expression of both intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin in HUVECs, but in HUAECs, only intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was increased. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated no difference in the pattern of TNF-stimulated nuclear factor-kappaB activation between HUVECs and HUAECs. These studies demonstrate a novel and striking insensitivity of arterial endothelium to the effects of TNF and LPS and indicate a dissociation between the ability of HUAECs to upregulate nuclear factor-kappaB and VCAM-1.

Arteries↗

Effect of reactive oxygen metabolites on endothelial permeability: role of nitric oxide and iron.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effects of the xanthine oxidase (XO)-derived reactive oxygen metabolites on the permeability of bovine pulmonary artery-endothelial monolayers and examined how iron and nitric oxide (NO) participate in these changes in permeability. METHODS: Permeability was measured using a cell-column chromatographic method in which monolayers were exposed to combinations of agents. RESULTS: Exposure of monolayers to a superoxide/peroxide generator, xanthine (X, 0.1 mM)/XO (25 mU/mL), increased solute permeability after 10 minutes, but the same dose of either X or XO alone did not. Exposure of monolayers to peroxide (0.1 mM) also increased permeability, but only after 70 minutes. This X/XO permeability was attenuated by either catalase, superoxide dismutase, methionine (1 mM), an oxy-radical scavenger, or desferrioxamine (0.1 mM), an iron chelator. Spermine NONOate (SNO), an NO donor, attenuated X/XO permeability at 0.1 mM, but this protection was not significant at 0.01 or 1 mM. Spermine NONOate (0.1 mM) did not alter the permeability produced by 0.1 mM peroxide. L-N5-(1-iminoethyl)-ornithine (10 microM), an NO synthase inhibitor, completely blocked peroxide-, and partially attenuated X/XO-mediated permeability. However, 3-morphosynodiomine (SIN-1, 1 mM) plus catalase (1,000 U/mL), a peroxynitrite generator, did not alter permeability. CONCLUSIONS: Xanthine/Xanthine Oxidase permeability involves peroxide, superoxide, oxy-radicals, and iron. Endogenous NO may regulate peroxide-, but not superoxide-mediated permeability. The protective effects of exogenous NO on the X/XO permeability may represent interactions between superoxide, peroxide, and cell surface-bound iron.

Animals↗

Pretreatment with polynitroxyl albumin (PNA) inhibits ischemia-reperfusion induced leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion.

Recently published evidence indicates that polynitroxylated albumin (PNA) protects tissues against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, possibly by enhancing tissue redox activity. The objective of this study was to determine if PNA treatment alters the leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion that is normally elicited by I/R. PNA, human serum albumin (HSA) or saline were administered (i.v.) 5 min before reperfusion. Venular diameter, red blood cell velocity, wall shear rate, systemic hematocrit, systemic arterial pressure, as well as the number of adherent and emigrated leukocytes were monitored in rat mesenteric venules before and after 20 min of ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion. In saline-treated rats, I/R elicited a 5.3-fold increase in leukocyte adhesion and a 1.8-fold increase in leukocyte emigration. HSA-treated animals exhibited 4.0 and 2.3-fold increases in leukocyte adherence and emigration, respectively. In PNA-treated rats, the number of adherent leukocytes increased only 2.1-fold increase in adherent leukocytes, while leukocyte emigration was completely inhibited. The PNA-induced attenuation of leukocyte adherence/emigration could not be attributed to alterations in systemic or local hemodynamics (red blood cell velocity or wall shear rate). PNA was also shown to be a potent inhibitor of xanthine-xanthine oxidase mediated adhesion of human neutrophils to cultured human endothelial cells. These findings indicate that PNA may protect tissues against I/R injury by attenuating leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion.

Albumins↗

Vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial cell growth factor-mediated permeability occurs through disorganization of endothelial junctional proteins.

Vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor stimulates endothelial proliferation, angiogenesis, and increased vascular permeability in vivo. We investigated mechanisms of vascular permeability factor-mediated endothelial monolayer permeability changes in vitro. [14C]Albumin flux across endothelial monolayers was measured following a 90-min exposure to vascular permeability factor (660 pM). Vascular permeability factor increased albumin flux to 3.4 times that of control albumin flux. Endothelial monolayers were also incubated for 90 min with vascular permeability factor plus Gö6976 (10 nM), staurosporine (1 microM), wortmannin (10 nM), AG126 (1 and 2.67 microM), and PD98059 (20 microM). Vascular permeability factor-mediated permeability was not blocked by Gö6976, an antagonist of "classical" protein kinase C, staurosporine, a pan-protein kinase C antagonist, nor wortmannin, a PI3-kinase blocker, but was blocked by incubation with AG126 or PD98059, inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Immunofluorescent staining of the junctional proteins VE-cadherin and occludin showed a loss of these proteins from the endothelial junction that was prevented by co-incubation with AG126 or PD98059. These data demonstrate that vascular permeability factor increases albumin permeability across endothelial monolayers in vitro and suggests that permeability increases through rearrangement of endothelial junctional proteins involving the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway.

Androstadienes↗

Intracellular mechanisms of nitric oxide plus hydrogen peroxide-mediated neutrophil adherence to cultured human endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We investigated signal-transduction in nitric oxide/hydrogen peroxide (NO/H2O2) mediated neutrophil-endothelial adhesion and P-selectin mobilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human endothelial monolayers (HUVEC) were exposed to 0.1 mM H2O2 plus an NO donor, 0.5 mM spermine-NONOate, and second message inhibitors and neutrophil adhesion and P-selectin expression measured. RESULTS: Neutrophil adherence induced by NO/H2O2 was blocked by a PKG inhibitor, (KT5823, 0.5 microM), a PKC inhibitor, (Go6976, 10 nM), a calcium chelator, TMB-8 (0.1 mM) and a K+ channel blocker, glibenclamide, (10 microM), but not by a PKA inhibitor, (H-89, 0.1 microM) or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, (genistein, I microM). P-selectin expression induced by NO/H2O2 was blocked by KT5823 and Gö6976, but not by TMB-8 or glibenclamide. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that NO/ H2O2 promotes neutrophil-endothelial adhesion through PKG, PKC, calcium, and K+ channels, but not PKA or tyrosine kinase. Conversely, P-selectin mobilization requires only PKG and PKC.

Calcium↗

Role of cadherin internalization in hydrogen peroxide-mediated endothelial permeability.

Exposure of endothelial monolayers to hydrogen peroxide results in increased solute permeability in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. This effect is prevented by either staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC, or by Gö6976, an inhibitor of "classical" PKC isoforms. Immunohistochemistry of peroxide-treated monolayers illustrates a loss of cadherin staining at cell junctions and gap formation predominantly at tri-cellular junctions. Both staurosporine and Gö6976 prevented peroxide-induced gap formation. Peroxide also stimulated internalization of cadherins as measured by the trypsin protection assay, which was not blocked by staurosporine or Gö6976. These data suggest that peroxide causes: 1) a time- and dose-dependent increase in permeability and dose-dependent increase in gap formation, both of which are PKC dependent; and 2) promotes PKC-independent cadherin internalization. These data indicate that cadherin internalization may be part of the mechanism through which oxidants regulate solute permeability.

Animals↗

Activated T-lymphocytes express occludin, a component of tight junctions.

T-lymphocytes routinely traffic from the lymphoid and vascular compartments to the tissues during immune surveillance and inflammatory responses. This egress occurs without compromising endothelial barrier, which is maintained by tight junctions (zonula occludens). We report that T-lymphocytes up-regulate the expression of occludin, a major component of the tight junction in response to stimulation with phorbol ester (PMA) + calcium ionophore, CD3 antibody or T-cell receptor (TCR) antibody. Only activated T-lymphocytes express occludin; this adhesion molecule is nearly absent in resting T-lymphocytes. By immunofluorescence, occludin is seen in lymphocyte aggregates, but does not appear to mediate aggregation since only 50% of the cells in these clusters express occludin. Occludin is expressed between 8 and 24 h following stimulation, and persists for at least 48 h. These data indicate that activated T cells produce occludin which may regulate lymphocyte adhesion and trafficking.

Animals↗

The role of cadherin endocytosis in endothelial barrier regulation: involvement of protein kinase C and actin-cadherin interactions.

We have previously reported that exposure of endothelial monolayers to low (0.12 mM) extracellular calcium significantly decreased the endothelial solute barrier, and that this effect was reversed by restoring 'normal' (1.2 mM) calcium (1). This effect was shown to be dependent on cadherins, however the molecular mechanisms through which barrier was altered by low calcium were not characterized. Here we investigated the mechanism of increased endothelial permeability produced by low calcium exposure. Endothelial permeability was significantly increased by exposure to low (0.12 mM) calcium; this effect was attenuated by pre-treatment with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, staurosporine (2 x 10(-7) M) for 30 min. Cell border retraction and gap formation produced by low calcium was also prevented by staurosporine. Treatment of monolayers with 0.12 mM calcium also stimulated the endocytosis of endothelial cadherins. This low calcium mediated cadherin endocytosis was also prevented by pretreatment with staurosporine. Low calcium mediated endocytosis was also prevented by the actin filament toxin, cytochalasin D (1 ug/ml, 30 min). We conclude that the mechanism of low calcium mediated loss of endothelial barrier function is mediated in part by a PKC dependent endocytosis of endothelial cadherins, which may involve interactions with the actin cytoskeleton. Physiological regulation of the in vivo endothelial barrier may also involve PKC dependent-actin mediated endocytosis of cadherin junctional elements.

Actins↗

Platelet-derived lysophosphatidic acid decreases endothelial permeability in vitro.

We previously reported that platelets release a soluble factor that decreases the solute permeability of cultured bovine aortic endothelial monolayers. This factor was characterized as heat stable, tryspsin sensitive, and not serotonin, adenosine, ADP, or ATP [F. R. Haselton and J. S. Alexander. Am. J. Physiol. 263 (Lung Cell Mol. Physiol. 7): L670-L678, 1992]. We now report its identity as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Endothelial permeability decreases rapidly, reversibly, and repeatedly when exposed to platelet supernatants. Continuous exposure produces a sustained decrease in permeability. Methanol extracts of platelet supernatants also decrease endothelial permeability. Treatment of methanol extracts of platelet supernatants with phospholipase B or alkaline phosphatase, which modify the structure of LPA, abolishes the permeability-decreasing activity. However, activity is unaffected by treatment with phospholipase A2. This pattern of enzyme inactivation is consistent with the structure of LPA. Furthermore, synthetic 1-oleoyl-LPA rapidly and significantly decreases endothelial permeability in a concentration-dependent manner. Platelet activation does not appear to be required to produce activity in supernatants from platelet isolations, since P-selectin expression is not increased and thromboxane B2 is < 14 pg/6,000 platelets. Our data show that platelets release a methanol-extractable compound with an enzyme degradation profile consistent with LPA, which decreases the permeability of endothelial monolayers in vitro. In vivo, LPA derived from platelets may be an important mediator of the transport barrier formed by the vascular endothelium.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Exogenous NO enhances hydrogen peroxide-mediated neutrophil adherence to cultured endothelial cells.

One important aspect of oxidant injury is the enhancement of neutrophil-endothelial adhesion by oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide. Recent studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO) can limit oxidant-mediated tissue injury, since inhibitors of endogenous NO synthesis often promote neutrophil-endothelial adhesion. However, less is known about the direct role of exogenous NO in modulating proadhesive effects of oxidants. The objective of this study was to examine how an NO donor modifies hydrogen peroxide-mediated adhesion of neutrophils to cultured endothelial cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers were exposed for 30 min to 0-0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide with or without the NO donor spermine-NONOate (SNO; 0-0.5 mM), and the adhesion of 51Cr-labeled polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) was measured in a static adhesion assay. PMN adherence was not altered by either peroxide (up to 0.1 mM) or SNO (up to 0.5 mM) alone but was significantly increased by over 300% by coadministration of both 0.1 mM peroxide and 0.5 mM SNO. This increase in adhesion with these two agents was correlated with an increase in the presentation of surface P-selectin but not intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Both PMN adhesion and P-selectin presentation were blocked by 0.1 mM desferrioxamine (an iron chelator) and 1 mM methionine (an oxyradical scavenger). WEB-2086, a platelet-activating factor-receptor antagonist (10 microM), also prevented PMN adhesion but not P-selectin expression. An antibody directed against either P-selectin or intercellular adhesion molecule-1 also blocked adhesion. These data indicate that NO may actually exacerbate rather than protect against the inflammatory effects of peroxide in some models of inflammation through the synthesis of platelet-activating factor and the mobilization of P-selectin.

Azepines↗