Integrin mediated adhesion of mononuclear cells from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia

Background: Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) can induce the adhesion of monoc ytes to endothelial cells. Monocytes of patients with familial hypercholest erolemia (FH) are exposed to high concentrations of LDL, and it has been re ported that adhesiveness of these cells in hypercholesterolemic patients is enhanced. We investigated whether LFA-1 or VLA-4 mediated adhesion is alte red in FH patients and whether HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors influence this adhesion. Patients and methods: LFA-1 and VLA-4 mediated adhesion to ICAM-1 and VCAM- 1 coated beads was investigated using freshly isolated monocytes and T-lymp hocytes from patients with homozygous FH, heterozygous FH (before and after cholesterol lowering treatment), and from controls. In addition, the expre ssion of beta 1- and beta 2-integrins on these cells was determined. Results: Both LFA-1 and VLA-4 mediated adhesion and integrin expression of monocytes and CD3(+) cells from patients with homozygous FH and heterozygou s FH was similar to that of monocytes from a control population. Treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors did not affect the adherence to ICAM-1 or VCAM-1, and did not influence the expression of integrins. Conclusions: In contrast to studies by others, we demonstrated in the prese nt study that the actual LFA-1 and VLA-4 mediated adhesion of T-lymphocytes and monocytes is not altered in patients with FH.