Mononuclear cell adhesion to collagen ex vivo is related to pulse pressurein elderly subjects

Mononuclear cells and platelets are intimately involved in the pathogenesis and complications of cardiovascular disease. Platelet activation has been reported in hypertension, though the activation-state of monocytes has rece ived less attention. In this study the adhesiveness of monocytes and platel ets was assessed and any relationship between the adhesive properties of th ese cellular elements and plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules and b lood pressure parameters determined. Fifty six elderly volunteers, of whom 32 were classified hypertensive (daytime SBP greater than or equal to 135 m mHg), underwent 24 h blood pressure monitoring, assessment of monocyte and platelet adhesion and measurement of the plasma soluble adhesion molecules ICAM-1, L-selectin. E-selectin and vWF. In the elderly hypertensive subject s, monocyte adhesion to collagen coated (P < 0.05) and tissue culture plast ic microwells (P < 0.05) was significantly elevated and circulating levels of soluble ICAM-1 (P < 0.01) and soluble E-selectin (P < 0.05) were signifi cantly raised compared to their normotensive counterparts. A significant co rrelation was found to exist between monocyte adhesion to collagen and dayt ime pulse pressure (r = 0.39, P < 0.01) and also between plasma levels of s oluble E-selectin and clinic DBP (r = 0.40, P < 0.001). The increased monoc yte adhesion witnessed in hypertensive subjects and with increasing pulse p ressure may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in h ypertension. Whether this increased adhesiveness is a property of the monoc ytes, or reflects endothelial cell activation, remains to be determined. (C ) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.