Expression of membrane-bound and soluble cell adhesion molecules by human brain microvessel endothelial cells

Expression of membrane-bound (mb) and soluble (s) forms of vascular cell ad hesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) i nduced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been measured by enzy me-linked immunosorbent assay in cultured human brain microvessel endotheli al cells. Both the mb and the s forms of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were upregulated by TNF-alpha; however, the stimulation of the s forms was delayed in time. When piracetam, a neuroprotective drug, was added to the tissue culture me dium simultaneously with TNF-alpha, the expression of mbVCAM-1 and ICAM-1 w as lowered. Differential upregulation of mb and s forms of adhesion molecul es and a novel effect of piracetam have been demonstrated in human brain mi crovessel endothelial cell cultures, (C) 1999 Academic Press.