EXPRESSION OF ADHESION MOLECULES ON ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS AFTER CONTACT WITH KNITTED DACRON

The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of some adhesion m olecules on the surface of endothelial cells cultured in contact with knitted Dacron(R). These molecules, as mediators of cell adhesion, cou ld play a role in the modulation of adhesion on the biomaterials, ther efore conditioning the response of tissues to implant. Twenty differen t cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cul tured in contact with knitted Dacron. Both HUVECs grown without the ma terial and HUVECs incubated with endotoxin were used as control. After 24 h, the cell adhesion molecules PECAM-1, ELAM-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were evaluated on the cells by monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometr y. After 24 h of contact with knitted Dacron, a significant decrease i n the proportion of cells expressing PECAM-1 was observed, as well as a significant increase in the proportion of cells expressing ELAM-1. T he contact with knitted Dacron did not induce significant variations o f ICAM-1 and VACM-1. The incubation with endotoxin determined a signif icant increase in the proportion of ELAM-1-positive cells, a significa nt increase in ICAM-1 fluorescence intensity, and a significant increa se both in fluorescence intensity and in the proportion of VCAM-1-posi tive cells. The results obtained with the endotoxin are in agreement w ith those reported in the literature. The ELAM-1 increase, observed af ter contact with knitted Dacron, could favour leucocyte adhesion, whil e the decrease in PECAM-1 expression could result from an inhibiting e ffect on the endothelial cell adhesion so as to hinder the mechanisms involved in the endothelialization of the material. The variations wer e interpreted as inhibiting endothelialization and favouring the leuco cyte adhesion effect by knitted Dacron. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limi ted.