ROLE OF ADHESION MOLECULES IN LEUKOCYTE BINDING TO ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS ADHERENT TO VASCULAR GRAFTS

BACKGROUND: The localization of leukocytes to vascular grafts is an es sential part of healing and infection resistance. The mechanisms invol ved in this process are only partly understood. STUDY DESIGN: Human sa phenous vein endothelial cells (HSVEC) were grown on control polystyre ne culture ware and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The bind ing of monoclonal antibodies against the intercellular adhesion molecu le (ICAM-1) and the E-selectin by adherent HSVEC was determined by flo w cytometry. Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were cocultured with HS VEC adherent to ePTFE and leukocyte binding was determined with and wi thout the addition of a protein kinase C inhibitor. RESULTS: HSVEC adh erent to ePTFE constitutively bound anti-ICAM-1 antibodies, which were attenuated by the protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7. HSVEC adherent to ePTFE bound significantly greater numbers of leukocytes than those on control (58 versus 41 percent, p<0.05). Incubation with H-7 decreased leukocyte binding to HSVEC significantly (p<0.005). Coculture of PBL w ith HSVEC adherent to ePTFE caused a tenfold increase in binding of an ti-E-selectin antibodies (p<0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that PBL binding to HSVEC adherent to ePTFE is, at least in part, ICAM -1 and E-selectin dependent.