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The fibronectin-derived anti-adhesive peptide III14-2 suppresses adhesion and apoptosis of leukemic cell lines through down-regulation of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation.

We previously found that fibronectin (FN) has a cryptic functional site (YTIYVIAL, #1848-1855) opposing to cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM). The present study demonstrates that the FN peptide containing this anti-adhesive site, termed peptide III14-2, affects programmed cell death (PCD) (apoptosis) as well as cell adhesion by down-regulating protein-tyrosine phosphorylation. Peptide III14-2 suppressed the integrin alpha5beta1-mediated adhesion of leukemic cell lines (K562 and HL60), and protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, 1 microM phenylarsine oxide (PAO) blocked the anti-adhesive effect of peptide III14-2. These leukemic cells underwent PCD when exposed to PAO at the higher concentration (5 microM), as judged by nuclear and DNA fragmentations, and which was reversed by tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein. Peptide III14-2 suppressed the PAO-induced PCD, whereas a control peptide in which the anti-adhesive sequence YTIYVIAL is scrambled, was inactive. Western blotting showed that PAO stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins including focal adhesion kinase and that peptide III14-2 inhibited them, suggesting that protein-tyrosine phosphorylation represents a common early signal for the adhesion and PCD. The anti-adhesive site of FN molecule may play a crucial role also in a variety of cellular processes other than adhesion and PCD by down-regulating protein-tyrosine phosphorylation.

Apoptosis↗

Adhesive permeability affects composite coupling to dentin treated with a self-etch adhesive.

Dentin bonded with one-step self-etch adhesives does not couple well to chemically-cured composites despite the presence of ternary catalysts in some systems. To determine whether additional factors are responsible for the poor coupling of dentin bonded with these adhesives, the authors used a one-step self-adhesive in which the ternary catalyst is incorporated separately in the brush applicator for activating the adhesive. The activated adhesive was bonded to dentin or prepolymerized composites. For microtensile bond strength evaluation, a dual-cured hybrid composite was used for coupling to the bonded substrates and activated using: (1) the light-cured mode (LC), (2) delayed light-activation (DL) and (3) the chemical-cured mode (CC). In addition, the composite polymerized in the CC mode was coupled to the two substrates bonded with (4) additional experimental adhesive versions without the ternary catalyst and (5) without the ternary catalyst and tertiary amine. Silver tracer penetration into bonded interfaces was examined using TEM by replacing the dual-cured composite with a light-cured or a chemically-cured microfilled composite. In the CC mode, the composites coupled poorly to both substrates bonded with the unactivated adhesive (5). The use of activated adhesives allowed for good coupling of the composites polymerized in all curing modes to bonded composite, but only in the LC mode to bonded dentin. Water-filled channels in the form of water trees and water blisters were present in the adhesive layer under all composite-curing modes in bonded dentin. These features were completely absent in the bonded composites, showing that the source of the water was from dentin. Water blisters were also observed along the adhesive-composite interfaces in bonded dentin when the coupling composites were polymerized using the CC or DL modes.

Adhesives↗

The efficacy of Interceed(TC7)* for prevention of reformation of postoperative adhesions on ovaries, fallopian tubes, and fimbriae in microsurgical operations for fertility: a multicenter study. Nordic Adhesion Prevention Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Interceed as an adjuvant in the prevention of postoperative adhesion reformation to the ovary, fallopian tube, and fimbria when used together with microsurgical techniques. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, multicenter, controlled clinical study. SETTING: Normal human volunteers in an academic research environment. PATIENTS: Sixty-six women suffering from infertility due at least in part to bilateral tubal disease with bilateral adhesions attached to ovaries, fallopian tubes, and fimbriae. INTERVENTION: Adhesiolysis bilaterly through laparotomy with microsurgical techniques, application of Interceed on one of the sides randomly assigned not known by the surgeon before application, follow-up laparoscopy 4 to 10 weeks postoperatively, with each patient serving as her own control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adhesion severity scores at all sites and number of adhesion free organs after laparotomy and follow-up laparoscopy. RESULTS: When the initial scores registered at the operation for fertility were compared with those registered at the second-look laparoscopy, the results indicated that gentle microsurgical techniques resulted in a significant reduction of postoperative adhesions. Adnexa, which were covered with Interceed, had significantly lower adhesion scores than the control adnexa, representing an improvement of 39% compared with microsurgery alone (control) in reducing adhesion reformation scores. When combined with microsurgical techniques, Interceed reduced adhesion reformation scores by 70%. The number of ovaries, fallopian tubes, and fimbriae without adhesions at the time of second-look laparoscopy was significantly increased by approximately twofold when organs were covered with Interceed. CONCLUSION: In a prospective, randomized, multicenter, controlled clinical study using a protocol in which other adjuvants have been shown not to be efficacious, Interceed was shown to reduce significantly the incidence and severity of adhesion reformation to the ovary, fallopian tube, and fimbria after infertility surgery.

Cellulose, Oxidized↗

Role of stress-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) in beta 2-integrin-dependent neutrophil adhesion and the adhesion-dependent oxidative burst.

Bacterial LPS elicits both rapid activation of the stress-activated MAP kinase p38 in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and rapid adhesion of the PMN to ligands for the leukocyte integrin CD11b/CD18. The functional correlation between these two events was examined. The time course for tyrosine phosphorylation of p38 in PMN in response to 10 ng/ml LPS in 1% normal human serum was consistent with participation in signaling for leukocyte integrin-dependent adhesion, with transient phosphorylation peaking at 10 to 20 min. The concentration dependence of p38 phosphorylation also resembled that for PMN adhesion, with <1 ng/ml LPS eliciting a response. Phosphorylation was inhibited by mAb 60b against CD14, but not by mAb 26ic, a nonblocking anti-CD14. The function of p38 in integrin-dependent adhesion and the adhesion-dependent oxidative burst was tested using a specific inhibitor of p38, SB203580. SB203580 inhibited adhesion by diminishing the initial rate of adherence in response to both LPS and TNF, with a half-maximal concentration in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 microM. It did not, however, block adhesion in response to formyl peptide or PMA. The p38 inhibitor also blocked the adhesion-dependent oxidative burst with a half-maximal concentration similar to that for adhesion. Timed delivery of the compound during the lag phase preceding H2O2 production suggested that p38 kinase activity was required throughout the lag but not after the oxidase was assembled. These results suggest that p38 functions in PMN to signal leukocyte integrin-dependent adhesion and the subsequent massive production of reactive oxygen intermediates.

CD18 Antigens↗

Nicotine induces mononuclear leukocyte adhesion and expression of adhesion molecules, VCAM and ICAM, in endothelial cells in vitro.

The pathology of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) has been characterized as an inflammatory response to vessel injury. The initial steps of this response involve mononuclear leukocyte (MNL) attachment and infiltration into the vessel wall. Leukocyte adhesion is potentiated by expression of cellular adhesion molecules. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM) are markers of cellular activation and have the ability to attach leukocytes to the endothelium, which is an initial event in the inflammatory response in the vessel wall. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were plated in endothelial growth medium (EGM) on plastic coverslips and grown until cells were 75% confluent. Free base nicotine (FBN) was diluted in EGM to a concentration of 10(-8) M and added to experimental cells. At 3 hr, coverslips were removed and fixed. Immunohistochemical staining (IHCS) was performed using a monoclonal antibody to human ICAM and VCAM. Digital image analysis (DIA) was performed to quantify the expression of ICAM and VCAM. An intensity stain index (ISI) measuring area and intensity of stain/total cellular area was determined. Additional HUVEC grown in a similar manner were either exposed to 10(-8) M FBN in EGM or EGM control for 4 hr, then were exposed to MNL suspension for 10 min. Coverslips were removed, rinsed, and fixed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed and cells examined under light microscopy. Leukocyte number per high power field (HPF) was counted and compared to controls. Data were analyzed using analysis of variants (ANOVA) and Student's t-test. Differences were considered significant if p < 0.05. ICAM and VCAM expression was absent in control cells. Nicotine exposure at 3 hr induced expression of VCAM (ISI = 30.85+/-0.77) and to a lesser extent ICAM (ISI = 16.6+/-1.39) (p < 0.001). MNL adhesion was markedly increased in cells exposed to nicotine (79.4+/-16.9/HPF) when compared to control cells (1.8+/-0.91/HPF) exposed to MNL (p < 0.01). These data show nicotine's ability to activate HUVEC as evidenced by induction of ICAM and VCAM expression in vitro. The biological effects of these adhesion molecules are demonstrated by a marked increase in MNL adhesion to HUVEC as demonstrated by leukocyte adhesion assay (LAA). MNL adhesion and subsequent migration into the intima, if occurring in vivo, may be a vital step in the pathogenesis of ASCVD associated with nicotine exposure.

Cell Adhesion↗

Focal adhesion kinase regulates metastatic adhesion of carcinoma cells within liver sinusoids.

Organ-specific tumor cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) components and cell migration into host organs often involve integrin-mediated cellular processes that can be modified by environmental conditions acting on metastasizing tumor cells, such as shear forces within the blood circulation. Since the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) appears to be essential for the regulation of the integrin-mediated adhesive and migratory properties of tumor cells, its role in early steps of the metastatic cascade was investigated using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Human colon and hepatocellular carcinoma cells were used to study adhesive properties under static conditions and in a parallel plate laminar flow chamber in vitro. In addition, intravital fluorescence microscopy was used to investigate early interactions between circulating tumor cells and the microvasculature of potential target organs in vivo. Shear forces caused by hydrodynamic fluid flow induced Tyr-hyperphosphorylation of FAK in cell monolayers. Reduced expression of FAK or its endogenous inhibition by FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK) interfered with early adhesion events to extracellular matrix components under flow conditions. In contrast, tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cells under these conditions was not affected. Furthermore, down-regulation of FAK inhibited metastatic cell adhesion in vivo within the liver sinusoids. In summary, FAK appears to be involved in early events of integrin-mediated adhesion of circulating carcinoma cells under fluid flow in vitro and in vivo. This kinase may take part in the establishment of definitive adhesive interactions that enable adherent tumor cells to resist fluid shear forces, resulting in an organ-specific formation of distant metastases.

Animals↗

Micromanipulation of adhesion of phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate-stimulated T lymphocytes to planar membranes containing intercellular adhesion molecule-1.

This paper presents an analytical and experimental methodology to determine the physical strength of cell adhesion to a planar membrane containing one set of adhesion molecules. In particular, the T lymphocyte adhesion due to the interaction of the lymphocyte function associated molecule 1 on the surface of the cell, with its counter-receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), on the planar membrane, was investigated. A micromanipulation method and mathematical analysis of cell deformation were used to determine (a) the area of conjugation between the cell and the substrate and (b) the energy that must be supplied to detach a unit area of the cell membrane from its substrate. T lymphocytes stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) conjugated strongly with the planar membrane containing purified ICAM-1. The T lymphocytes attached to the planar membrane deviated occasionally from their round configuration by extending pseudopods but without changing the size of the contact area. These adherent cells were dramatically deformed and then detached when pulled away from the planar membrane by a micropipette. Detachment occurred by a gradual decrease in the radius of the contact area. The physical strength of adhesion between a PMA-stimulated T lymphocyte and a planar membrane containing 1,000 ICAM-1 molecules/micron 2 was comparable to the strength of adhesion between a cytotoxic T cell and its target cell. The comparison of the adhesive energy density, measured at constant cell shape, with the model predictions suggests that the physical strength of cell adhesion may increase significantly when the adhesion bonds in the contact area are immobilized by the actin cytoskeleton.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

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↗

L-arginine reduces human monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium and endothelial expression of cell adhesion molecules.

BACKGROUND: Monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells is a key early event in atherogenesis. Because L-arginine has been shown to reduce atheroma and to decrease monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion in an animal model of atherosclerosis, we studied the effects of L-arginine on human monocyte adhesion to human endothelial cells and endothelial expression of cell adhesion molecules. METHODS AND RESULTS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were grown to confluence, then incubated for 24 hours with arginine-deficient media to which was added saline (control), 100 or 1000 mumol/L L-arginine, 100 mumol/L D-arginine, 100 mumol/L NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), or 100 mumol/L L-arginine with 100 mumol/L L-NMMA. Human monocytes obtained by elutriation were incubated for 1 hour with HUVECs, and adhesion was measured by light microscopy. Compared with control, monocyte adhesion was reduced by L-arginine (59 +/- 10%, P = .01) and increased by L-NMMA (123 +/- 20%, P = .01). Surface expression of cell adhesion molecules by HUVECs was assessed by an ELISA under the above conditions with and without stimulation with interleukin-1 beta. Expression of ICAM-1 was reduced with both concentrations of L-arginine compared with control in both the basal (43 +/- 12%, P < .01), and stimulated (46 +/- 15%, P < .01) states, which correlated with decreased levels of mRNA. Expression of VCAM-1 was reduced only in the stimulated state and only in the presence of 1000 mumol/L L-arginine (72 +/- 24%, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: L-Arginine reduces human monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and decreases expression of certain endothelial cell adhesion molecules.

Arginine↗

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and the integrin VLA-4 mediate adhesion of human B cell precursors to cultured bone marrow adherent cells.

Adhesion of B cell precursors to accessory cells in the bone marrow microenvironment may be required for normal early B cell development. Human bone marrow B cell precursors adhere more avidly than mature B cells to bone marrow-derived fibroblasts. To determine the mechanism of this adhesion, expression of adhesion proteins on human B precursor cells and cell lines was measured by flow cytometry. The very late antigen (VLA) integrins VLA-4 and VLA-5 were the only adhesion proteins expressed at higher levels in B cell precursors than mature B cells. Antibodies to the alpha and beta chains of VLA-4, but not VLA-5, significantly blocked binding to bone marrow-derived fibroblasts of immature B cells and cell lines. Although fibronectin is a ligand for VLA-4, anti-fibronectin antibody and a soluble fibronectin fragment containing the VLA-4 binding domain did not block adhesion, suggesting that VLA-4 is involved in adhesion of B cell precursors, but not as a fibronectin receptor. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), the other known counterreceptor for VLA-4, was identified on bone marrow-derived fibroblasts, and anti-VCAM-1 significantly blocked adhesion of normal B cell precursors to bone marrow-derived fibroblasts, indicating that VLA-4/VCAM-1 interactions are important in adhesion of B cell precursors to the bone marrow microenvironment.

Adult↗

Effect of microvillus deformability on leukocyte adhesion explored using adhesive dynamics simulations.

Leukocyte rolling on the endothelium via selectin molecules is an important step in the adhesion cascade, which allows leukocytes in the bloodstream to reach sites of infection. We improve upon Adhesive Dynamics simulations by incorporating deformable microvilli on which adhesion molecules are clustered. As determined in micropipette experiments, microvilli deform like an elastic spring at small forces and a combination of yield and viscous dissipation at high forces. First, we create a modified version of the state diagram for adhesion which includes microvillus deformation, and find four adhesion states-firmly bound; landing; rolling; and no-adhesion. Then, we simulate the effects of receptor clustering on the tips of microvilli, number of adhesion molecules on the cell, and the spring constant of the bonds, within the context of deformable microvilli. We also explore how the microvillus rheology itself controls the dynamics of adhesion. A minimum in rolling velocity occurs at an intermediate value of the microvillus membrane viscosity, remarkably close to the reported physiological value, suggesting that the mechanics of microvilli have evolved ideally for rolling and adhesion of leukocytes. We find that a larger degree of association between the membrane and cytoskeleton leads to slower rolling, and stiffer microvilli result in faster rolling. Decreasing the overall deformability of the microvilli greatly reduces a simulated cell's ability to roll. A comparison to experimental results of in vitro cell rolling agrees with the simulation at low shear rates. Furthermore, simulated rolling trajectories of cells with deformable microvilli display periods of rolling interdispersed with pauses, consistent with that seen in experiments where microvilli were observed to stretch.

Adhesiveness↗

Multiple activation states of VLA-4. Mechanistic differences between adhesion to CS1/fibronectin and to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.

We examined the effects of a stimulatory anti-beta 1 mAb (TS2/16) and different divalent cations on VLA-4-mediated cell adhesion to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), to the fibronectin-derived CS1 peptide, and to larger fibronectin fragments. Using optimal binding conditions (in the presence of mAb TS2/16 and 1.0 mM Mn2+), the levels of VLA-4-mediated adhesion to VCAM-1 and to CS1 peptide were virtually indistinguishable, and half-maximal inhibition of adhesion to both ligands was achieved using similar levels of an anti-alpha 4 antibody. However, using suboptimal adhesion conditions, two critical differences between adhesion to CS1 peptide (or larger fibronectin fragments) and VCAM-1 were consistently observed. First, stimulation by added mAb TS2/16 had a substantially greater effect on adhesion to CS1 than to VCAM-1 and second, Ca2+ was much less able to support adhesion to CS1 than to VCAM-1. These two differences between adhesion to CS1 peptide and to VCAM-1 were most obvious among cell lines which synthesized inactive or partly active VLA-4 but were not obvious for fully active VLA-4. Together, these results not only reveal crucial differences in the mechanisms of VLA-4 binding to its two ligands, but also lead to increased understanding of the variable activation states of VLA-4. The differential ability to utilize Ca2+ displayed by VLA-4 in different states of activation and the activation of inactive or partly active VLA-4 by the addition of Mn2+ both point to divalent cation sites playing an essential role in determining VLA-4 regulation and ligand specificity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Regulation of human B-cell precursor adhesion to bone marrow stromal cells by cytokines that exert opposing effects on the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).

Self-renewal and differentiation of B-cell precursors is dependent on interactions with bone marrow (BM) stromal cells and associated extracellular matrix. We have recently developed an interleukin (IL)-7-dependent, BM-derived stromal cell culture that supports the growth of normal human B-cell precursors. In the current study, we have characterized the constitutive expression, cytokine-regulated expression, and function of adhesion molecules on BM stromal cells that are critical for adhesion of B-cell precursors. Flow cytometric analysis showed that cultured adult BM stromal cells expressed higher constitutive levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 than intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 (CD54). IL-1 beta upregulated VCAM-1 and CD54 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas IL-4 upregulated VCAM-1, but had no effect on CD54. In contrast, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta decreased the level of BM stromal cell VCAM-1. Using an assay to measure the adhesion of 51Cr-labeled B-cell precursors to BM stromal cells, we observed a direct correlation between cytokine-regulated levels of VCAM-1 and the capacity of stromal cells to support the adhesion of B-cell precursors. Blocking studies using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) showed that adhesion of B-cell precursors to untreated and cytokine-treated (IL-1 beta, IL-4) BM stromal cells was mediated by very late antigen (VLA)-4 (CD49d/CD29) and VCAM-1. Adhesion of B-cell precursors could also be enhanced by direct stimulation with MoAb to the CD29 subunit. Our collective results indicate that B-cell precursor/BM stromal cell adhesion is mediated by a VLA-4-VCAM-1 interaction, which in turn can be regulated at the level of the BM stromal cell by cytokines that specifically increase or decrease cell surface VCAM-1.

Adult↗

Adhesion strength of individual human bone marrow cells to fibronectin. Integrin beta1-mediated adhesion.

The purpose of this work was to study the adhesion strength of individual bone marrow cells, using a micropipette aspiration technique. The adhesion strength of the primary human bone marrow cells to fibronectin-coated substrate, by blocking the beta1 integrin with and without antibodies, was also determined. Human bone marrow stromal cells of the second passage were seeded at a density of 500 cells/cm2 on two different substrates: plastic culture dish (PCD) and PCD coated with fibronectin. In short adhesion times (15-180 min) the cells attached without spreading and remained almost spherical. A negative pressure of about 3500 Pa was applied, through the micropipette, on individual bone marrow cells and the detach process was recorded. The tip of the micropipette was bent at an 130 degrees angle to the corpus of the pipette and it was manipulated to be on the upper side of the cell and vertically to the bottom of the plate. It was observed from the experiments that the cells exhibited smaller adhesion strength at early adhesion times (30-85 min). After 85 min the adhesion strength increased abruptly and remained relatively constant for the adhesion period from 85 to 180 min for all substrates. Monoclonal antibodies against integrin subunit beta1 were used for integrin blocking experiments. The data suggested that the attachment of osteoblasts to a plastic culture dish without fibronectin coating occurred earlier than to the one coated with fibronectin PCD. In longer adhesion time the coating with fibronectin increased the adhesion strength at 107%. Blocking of integrin beta1 with monoclonal antibody resulted in decrease of the adhesion strength at 49%.

Journal Article↗

Clinical evaluation of 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel for the reduction of adhesions following peritoneal cavity surgery: open-label pilot study.

The objective of this study was to assess the safety and to make a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel in reducing adhesions in patients undergoing peritoneal cavity surgery by laparotomy, with a planned 'second-look' laparoscopy. The study was a randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design in patients desirous of fertility at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. Female patients aged 24 to 41 years received 300 ml 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel or lactated Ringer's solution as an intraperitoneal instillate at the completion of the laparotomy procedure. At second-look laparoscopy 4-12 weeks after the laparotomy, the presence of adhesions was evaluated. Haematology and serum chemistry were determined throughout the study interval. All patients tolerated the procedures well and did not manifest any serious adverse events. At second-look laparoscopy, patients treated with 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel had significantly fewer adhesions than control patients. When adhesions did form, they were significantly less extensive and less severe in patients who received 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel. In conclusion, 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel was safe and highly efficacious in the reduction of the number, severity and extent of adhesions throughout the entire abdomen following peritoneal cavity surgery.

Adult↗

Flow cytometric determination of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 in formaldehyde-fixed endothelial cell monolayers.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial cell adhesion molecules are involved in initiation and progression of vascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine conditions of fixation and dissociation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers that permit a reliable flow cytometric determination of intracellular and surface content of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). METHODS: TNFalpha-treated HUVEC monolayers were fixed with 0.5% formaldehyde at the end of the experimental incubation. Subsequently, either the monolayer was trypsinized and thereafter the cells were subjected to indirect fluorescence labeling or the monolayer was first labeled and then dissociated by trypsinization. Cell integrity was assessed by vimentin staining. Total adhesion molecule content was detected in saponin-permeabilized cells. RESULTS: HUVEC integrity was maintained when the fixation time of the monolayer did not exceed 5 min and trypsin/EDTA was used for dissociation. Surface adhesion molecules were partially hydrolyzed by trypsin when trypsinization preceded labeling but antibody binding protected adhesion molecules from degradation. VCAM-1 and E-selectin exhibited substantial trypsin-sensitive surface fractions but surface ICAM-1 was mainly trypsin resistant. Permeabilization with 0.06% saponin allowed the detection of considerable intracellular pools of the investigated adhesion molecules. CONCLUSIONS: The described method permits the reliable determination of surface and intracellular fractions of adhesion molecules in formaldehyde-fixed HUVEC monolayers and may be used for studies on the regulation of adhesion molecule expression.

Cell Membrane Permeability↗

Paxillin modulates squamous cancer cell adhesion and is important in pressure-augmented adhesion.

Paxillin is an adapter protein regulating signaling and focal adhesion assembly that has been linked to malignant potential in many malignancies. Overexpression of paxillin has been noted in aggressive tumors. Integrin-mediated binding through the focal adhesion complex is important in metastatic adhesion and is upregulated by extracellular pressure in malignant colonocytes through FAK and Src activation. Neither head and neck cancers nor paxillin have been studied in this regard. We hypothesized that paxillin would play a role in modulating squamous cancer adhesion both at baseline and under conditions of increased extracellular pressure. Using SCC25 tongue squamous cancer cells stably transfected with either an empty selection vector or paxillin expression and selection vectors, we studied adhesion to collagen, paxillin, FAK, and Src expression and phosphorylation in cells maintained for 30 min under ambient or 15 mmHg increased pressure conditions. Paxillin-overexpressing cells exhibited adhesion 121 +/- 2.9% of that observed in vector-only cells (n = 6, P < 0.001) under ambient pressure. Paxillin-overexpression reduced FAK phosphorylation. Pressure stimulated adhesion to 118 +/- 2.3% (n = 6, P < 0.001) of baseline in vector-only cells, similar to its effect in the parental line, and induced paxillin, FAK, and Src phosphorylation. However, increased pressure did not stimulate adhesion or phosphorylate paxillin, FAK, or Src further in paxillin-overexpressing cells. Metastasizing squamous cancer cell adhesiveness may be increased by paxillin-overexpression or by paxillin activation by extracellular pressure during surgical manipulation or growth within a constraining compartment. Targeting paxillin in patients with malignancy and minimal tumor manipulation during surgical resection may be important therapeutic adjuncts.

Cell Adhesion↗

Activation of G-proteins with AIF-4 induces LFA-1-mediated adhesion of T-cell hybridoma cells to ICAM-1 by signal pathways that differ from phorbol ester- and manganese-induced adhesion.

T-cell hybridomas metastasize widely, and the extent of dissemination correlates with invasiveness in fibroblast cultures. Previously, we provided evidence that both metastasis and in vitro invasion require activation of LFA-1, induced by G-protein-transduced signals triggered by as yet unidentified factors. We show here that LFA-1-mediated adhesion of TAM2D2 T-cell hybridoma cells to ICAM-1 can in fact be induced by direct activation of G-proteins using AIF-4, to the same extent as by using PMA or Mn2+. We assessed effects of protein kinase C (PKC), tyrosine kinase (TK), PI3-kinase (PI3K), and phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors. Both AIF-4-induced adhesion and invasion were completely blocked by the TK inhibitor genistein and partially blocked by the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin, but not influenced by PKC inhibitor GF109203X. Downregulation of PKC did not affect invasion or adhesion induced by AIF-4 either. In contrast, GF109203X and PKC downregulation blocked PMA-induced adhesion, but genistein and wortmannin had no effect. Invasion and both AIF-4- and PMA-induced adhesion were completely blocked by the PLC inhibitor U73122. Mn(2+)-induced adhesion, which was not or was only partially blocked by the other inhibitors, was delayed by U73122, and spreading of Mn(2+)-treated cells was completely prevented by U73122. However, PLC activity during adhesion was not detected. We conclude that signals required for invasion and G-protein-induced adhesion are similar and are distinct from PKC-induced adhesion, and that in all cases PLC is likely to be activated, but is probably too local and/or transient to be detected.

Aluminum Compounds↗