Modulation of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 on Human Coronary Smooth Muscle Cells by Cytokines

Adhesion molecules have been demonstrated immunohistochemically on smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaques. In endothelial cells cytokines are potent modulators of adhesion molecule expression. We therefore investigated the effects of cytokines on adhesion molecule expression on cultured human coronary and pulmonary smooth muscle cells by cell ELISA and confocal microscopy. Human coronary and pulmonary smooth muscle cells expressed ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 but not E-selectin. ICAM-1 expression was upregulated by TNFα, Il-1βand IFN-γ. VCAM-1 expression was increased by TNFαand weakly by Il-1β. IFN-γhad no effect on VCAM-1 expression. Cytokine effects on ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were based onde novosynthesis. These results demonstrate that cytokines regulate ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression on human coronary and pulmonary smooth muscle cells. These effects may play an important role in the immune mechanisms in atherosclerosis.