EFFECTS OF TANSHINONE II-A SULFONATE ON ADHESION MOLECULE EXPRESSION OF ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS AND PLATELETS IN-VITRO

AIM: To study the action of tanshinone II-A sulfonate (Tan) on adhesio n molecule expression by cultured endothelial cells and platelets. MET HODS: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced ICAM-1 expressio n on the cell surface and endothelial adhesivity toward HL-60 cells we re studied using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Throm bin-induced expression of platelet P-selectin was studied using human blood platelets. Adhesion molecule expression on the cell surface was measured by now cytometry. The number of HL-60 cells adhering to the H UVEC monolayer was determined by liquid scintillation spectroscopy. RE SULTS: Pretreatment of HUVEC with TNF-alpha significantly enhanced ICA M-1 expression and increased HL-60 cells adhesion to HUVEC from 4.6 % +/- 0.7 % to 30 % +/- 6 %. Tan (25-200 mu mol.L-1) inhibited the effec ts of TNF-alpha in a concentration-dependent manner. Tan also inhibite d the increase of P-selectin expression of thrombin-activated platelet s in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Tan inhibited expre ssion of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, P-selectin) in HUVEC and in human blood platelets.