ADHESIVE PROTEIN EXPRESSION ON ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS AFTER CONTACT IN-VITRO WITH POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE COATED WITH PYROLYTIC CARBON

This research aims at evaluating the expression of some adhesive prote ins on endothelial cell surface after contact with polyethylene tereph thalate coated with pyrolytic carbon (PET + PC). Twenty-two different cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were put i n contact with PET + PC. Both HUVECs grown without the biomaterial and HUVECs incubated with endotoxin were used as control. After 24 h, pla telet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), endothelial leuc ocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were evaluated on the cells by monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. In agreemen t with the literature, after 24 h the culture incubated with endotoxin determined a significant increase in the percentage of positive cells for ELAM-1, a significant increase in fluorescence intensity for ICAM -1, and a significant increase in the percentage of positive cells and fluorescence intensity for VCAM-1. After 24 h of culture with PET + P C, no significant variations in the antigens examined were observed. T his demonstrates that such material does not activate in vitro the pro teins involved in the adhesion between leucocytes and endothelium or i n the adhesion between endothelial cells themselves.