CYTOKINE PRODUCTION AND ADHESIVE PROTEIN EXPRESSION BY ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS AFTER CONTACT WITH POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE

The authors have evaluated adhesive protein expression and cytokine pr oduction by human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in contact with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). ELAM-1, ICAM-1 and VGAM-1 expr ession was determined by flow cytometry; the concentration of interleu kin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte colony sti mulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the supernatant was determined by enzyme immunoassa y. The contact with PET determined a significant increase in ELAM-1 ex pression and insignificant increase in cytokine production, demonstrat ing that PET had a limited capability to stimulate endothelial cells i n a pro-inflammatory sense. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited