ENDOTHELIAL-CELL ADHESION MOLECULE EXPRESSION AND LYMPHOCYTE ADHESIONTO ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS - EFFECT OF NITRIC-OXIDE

Interactions between circulating leukocytes and vascular endothelial c ells are of fundamental importance in controlling normal recirculation and migration of cells into sites of inflammation. Nitric oxide (NO), which is synthesized by vascular endothelial cells, has been reported to decrease the binding of platelets, monocytes, macrophages, and neu trophils to endothelial cells. Using NO donors and inhibitors of the e nzyme NO synthase, we found no evidence that physiologically relevant levels of NO alter adhesion of purified lymphocytes to an endothelial cell line derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (SGHEC-7 ). In addition, NO donors did not alter the cell surface expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, or E-selectin on SGHEC-7 cells. (C) 1997 Academic Pre ss.