Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 clusters during osteoclastogenesis

Adhesion between osteoblasts and osteoclast precursors is established via an interaction involving intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on osteoblasts and leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) on osteoclast precursors. The latter cells also express ICAM-1, but little is known about the expression over time and its possible role during osteoclastogenesis. In the present study we investigated the expression of ICAM-1 on both human osteoblast-like cells and osteoclast precursors in a co-culture. The protein expression on osteoclast precursors strongly increased whereas the osteoblast-like cells became ICAM-1 negative. Interestingly, ICAM-1 on osteoclast precursors manifested as clusters which localized at the baso-lateral membrane. Furthermore, clustered ICAM-1 was associated with F-actin and remained present for several days. Our data suggest that osteoblastic ICAM-1 is mainly involved in the initial adhesion of osteoclast precursors whereas clustered ICAM-1 on osteoclast precursors and its association with F-actin suggest an involvement in cell movement at a later stage.     

LPS Up-Regulates ICAM-1 Expression in Breast Cancer Cells by Stimulating a MyD88-BLT2-ERK-Linked Cascade,Which Promotes Adhesion to Monocytes

Monocytes are the major inflammatory cells that infiltrate most solid tumors in humans. The interaction of tumor cells with infiltrating monocytes and their adhesion to these monocytes play a significant role in altering the tumor to become more aggressive. Recently, exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was suggested to promote cancer cell adhesion to monocytes; however, little is known about the details of the signaling mechanism involved in this process. In this study, we found that LPS up-regulates ICAM-1 expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which facilitates their adhesion to THP-1 monocytes. In addition, we analyzed the signaling mechanism underlying the up-regulation of ICAM-1 and found that the siRNA-mediated depletion of BLT2 markedly suppressed the LPS-induced expression of ICAM-1 in MDA-MB-231 cells and the subsequent adhesion of these cells to THP-1 monocytes. Moreover, we demonstrated that myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) lies downstream of LPS/TLR4 and upstream of BLT2 and that this ‘MyD88-BLT2’ cascade mediates ERK activation and subsequent ICAM-1 expression, which is critical for the adhesion of MDA-MB-231 cells to THP-1 monocytes. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that LPS up-regulates ICAM-1 expression in breast cancer cells via a MyD88-BLT2-ERK-linked signaling cascade, leading to the increased adhesion of breast cancer cells to monocytes.     

Ca^2+介导肾小管ICAM-1高表达参与肾结石的形成

本研究旨在探讨细胞间黏附分子1 (intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, ICAM-1)在高钙尿肾结石(genetic hypercalcium renal stones, GHS)大鼠中的表达以及Ca^2+对肾小管上皮细胞ICAM-1的影响。取GHS大鼠和SD大鼠,荧光定量PCR检测肾组织ICAM-1 mRNA表达水平,免疫组化检测ICAM-1蛋白表达。比色法检测大鼠肾组织SOD活力和MDA水平。通过ICAM-1 siRNA转染大鼠肾小管上皮细胞系NRK-52E构建ICAM-1低表达细胞模型,Ca^2+(5 mmol/L)处理NRK-52E细胞,检测细胞SOD活力和MDA水平,通过Western blotting检测细胞ICAM-1蛋白表达水平。荧光定量PCR结果显示,与SD对照组相比,GHS组大鼠肾组织ICAM-1 mRNA水平显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01);免疫组化结果显示,ICAM-1蛋白在GHS大鼠肾组织中呈阳性表达;氧化应激检测结果显示,与SD对照组比较,GHS组大鼠肾组织SOD活性显著降低,MDA含量显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01)。Western blotting结果显示,与对照组比较,Ca^2+组NRK-52E细胞ICAM-1表达蛋白显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01);与Ca^2+处理NC-siRNA组比较,Ca^2+处理ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞ICAM-1表达蛋白显著降低;与ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞比较,Ca^2+处理ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞后ICAM-1表达蛋白水平无显著性变化(p>0.05)。细胞氧化应激检测结果显示,与对照组比较,Ca^2+组NRK-52E细胞SOD活性显著降低,MDA含量显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01);与Ca^2+处理NC-siRNA组比较,Ca^2+处理ICAM-1 siRNA组SOD活性显著升高,MDA含量显著降低,差异均具有统计学意义(p<0.01);与ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞比较,Ca^2+处理ICAM-1 siRNA组NRK-52E细胞SOD活力和MDA含量无显著性变化(p>0.05)。ICAM-1在GHS肾小管上皮细胞中高表达,Ca^2+诱导肾小管上皮细胞ICAM-1高表达,促进细胞氧化应激水平。     

Quercetin inhibits IL-1 beta-induced ICAM-1 expression in pulmonary epithelial cell line A549 through the MAPK pathways

Quercetin is a herbal flavonoid derived from various foods of plant origin and widely used as a major constituent of nutritional supplements. Quercetin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can play a role in anti-inflammatory procedure. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is one of the important pro-inflammatory factors, especially in early phage of inflammation. However, the mechanisms regulating ICAM-1 expression by quercetin in human A549 cells were still unclear. In this study, the inhibitory effect of quercetin on ICAM-1 expression by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-stimulated A549 cells was investigated, and the roles of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways were explored. Quercetin attenuated IL-1 beta-induced expression of ICAM-1 mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent manner. The experiment suggested that quercetin actively inhibited inhibitory protein of nuclear factor-kappa B (I kappa B) degradation, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) activity. The c-fos and c-jun, components of activator protein-1 (AP-1), were mediated by MAPK pathways. ERK and p38 were involved in the c-fos mRNA expression, and JNK was involved in the c-jun mRNA expression. The inhibitory effect of quercetin on ICAM-1 expression was mediated by the sequential attenuation of the c-fos and c-jun mRNA expressions. These inhibitory effects were partially inhibited by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, but not by PD98059, a specific inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and SP600125, a specific inhibitor of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). Taken together, these results suggest that quercetin negatively modulating ICAM-1 partly dependent on MAPK pathways. Binwu Ying and Ting Yang have contributed equally to this work.     

A membranous form of ICAM-1 on exosomes efficiently blocks leukocyte adhesion to activated endothelial cells

While intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a transmembrane protein, two types of extracellular ICAM-1 have been detected in cell culture supernatants as well as in the serum: a soluble form of ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) and a membranous form of ICAM-1 (mICAM-1) associated with exosomes. Previous observations have demonstrated that sICAM-1 cannot exert potent immune modulatory activity due to its low affinity for leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) or membrane attack complex-1. In this report, we initially observed that human cancer cells shed mICAM-1(+)-exosomes but were devoid of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin. We demonstrate that mICAM-1 on exosomes retained its topology similar to that of cell surface ICAM-1, and could bind to leukocytes. In addition, we show that exosomal mICAM-1 exhibits potent anti-leukocyte adhesion activity to tumor necrosis factor-α-activated endothelial cells compared to that of sICAM-1. Taken together with previous findings, our results indicate that mICAM-1 on exosomes exhibits potent immune modulatory activity.     

Transfection of the mouse ICAM-1 gene into murine neuroblastoma enhances susceptibility to lysis,reduces in vivo tumorigenicity and decreases ICAM-2-dependent killing

We determined the expression of intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM) on neuro-2a cells in order to evaluate whether they were involved in cytolysis of murine neuroblastoma. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis revealed that the control neomycin-resistance-genetransduced line (neuro-2a/LN) had poor expression of ICAM-1 (mean channel fluorescence, MCF=3.7). An ICAM-1-positive transfectant of neuro-2a (neuro-2a/ICAM-1⁺) (CMF=64.3) was generated to evaluate directly the role of this adhesion molecule in cytolysis. Neuro-2a/ICAM-1⁺ was more sensitive to LAK killing (69.7% at an effector-to-target ratio of 1001) compared to neuro-2a/LN (48.6%) (P<0.001). Blocking of neuro-2a/LN and neuro-2a/ICAM-1⁺ lysis with anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) did not account for all the LFA-1-dependent killing. These data indicate that even in neuro-2a/ICAM-1⁺ cells, other LFA-1 ligands participated in the effector-target interaction. Therefore, we examined these cell lines for ICAM-2 expression. Both neuro-2a/LN and neuro-2a/ICAM-1⁺ lines expressed ICAM-2 (MCF=16.4 and 16.5). ICAM-2 accounted for the majority of the LFA-1-dependent killing in the ICAM-1-negative target, neuro-2a/LN, while ICAM-1 played a primary role in the cytolysis of the ICAM-1⁺ transfectant. Inhibition of lysis in the presence of anti-ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 mAbs was comparable to that seen with the addition of anti-LFA-1 mAb, indicating that other LFA-1 ligands were not involved in this system. ICAM-1 expression was associated with decreased in vivo tumorigenicity; mice inoculated with neuro-2a/ICAM-1⁺ cells had a significantly longer survival compared to those receiving neuro-2a/LN cells (median survival time 35.5 versus 24.5 days) (P<0.001). It is important to note that ICAM-1 transfection of murine neuroblastoma did not alter its metastatic potential. We conclude that transfection of mouse neuroblastome with ICAM-1 increases its sensitivity to in vitro lysis and reduces its in vivo tumorgenicity. In ICAM-1-negative murine neuroblastoma cells, ICAM-2 plays a primary role in cell-mediated lysis.This work was supported in part by the Children's Cancer Research Fund, the Minnesota Medical Foundation, the Viking Children's Fund and NIH grants PO1-CA-21737, NO1-AI-85002. E. K. is a recipient of the Irvine McQuarrie Research Scholar Award and B. R. B. a recipient of the Edward Mallinkrodt Foundation Scholar Award     

Biochemical interactions among intercellular adhesion molecules expressed by airway epithelial cells

Intercellular adhesion between adjacent airway epithelial cells plays a critical role in maintaining the barrier function of the respiratory mucosa. In the current study, we examined the expression and interaction of cell surface adhesion molecules (E-cadherin, ICAM-1, and MUC1) and their intracellular binding partners (alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, gamma-catenin, and ezrin) in 16HBE14o-, HBE1, 1HAEo-, BEAS-2B, A549, and NCI-H292 human airway epithelial cells. Expression of E-cadherin and MUC1, both in whole cell lysates and biotinylated surface proteins, was observed in 16HBE14o-, HBE1, A549, and NCI-H292 cells, while ICAM-1 was detected only in NCI-H292. In contrast, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin and ezrin were expressed in all of the cells. E-cadherin formed coimmunoprecipitation complexes with beta- and gamma-catenin, whereas MUC1 only associated with beta-catenin. ICAM-1, but not MUC1, coimmunoprecipitated with ezrin in NCI-H292 cells. We conclude that airway epithelial cell-cell adhesion involves a complex network of protein-protein interactions mediated by a diverse array of membrane-bound and cytosolic protein partners.     

Cariporide inhibits high glucose-mediated adhesion of monocyte-endothelial cell and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1

The aim of this study was to examine whether cariporide, a new inhibitor of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1 (NHE-1), may inhibit high glucose-induced monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Cultured endothelial cells were incubated with normal glucose control (5.5 mM), cariporide control (5.5 mM glucose plus 10 microM cariporide), hyperosmolarity (5.5 mM glucose plus 16.5 mM mannitol), high glucose (HG, 22 mM), low-concentration cariporide (22 mM glucose plus 0.1 microM cariporide), medium-concentration cariporide (22 mM glucose plus 1 muM cariporide), and high-concentration cariporide (22 mM glucose plus 10 microM cariporide) for 24 h. Monocytes were isolated from peripheral human blood. Adhered monocytes were quantified by measuring their protein content. ICAM-1 expression and NHE-1 activity was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and pH-sensitive fluorescent spectrophotometry. Exposure of endothelial cells to HG for 24 h caused an increase of adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells and an increased expression of ICAM-1. However, these effects were reversed by treatment with cariporide (0.1, 1, 10 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, cariporide (1 microM) was able to inhibit the activation of NHE-1 induced by HG in endothelial cells. These findings suggest that cariporide might inhibit HG-mediated monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and expression of ICAM-1 by inhibiting the activation of NHE-1.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin through nuclear factor-kappa B activation in endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces adhesion molecules on endothelial cells during inflammation. Here we examined the mechanisms underlying VEGF-stimulated expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. VEGF (20 ng/ml) increased expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin mRNAs in a time-dependent manner. These effects were significantly suppressed by Flk-1/kinase-insert domain containing receptor (KDR) antagonist and by inhibitors of phospholipase C, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, sphingosine kinase, and protein kinase C, but they were not affected by inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) 1/2 or nitric-oxide synthase. Unexpectedly, the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3'-kinase inhibitor wortmannin enhanced both basal and VEGF-stimulated adhesion molecule expression, whereas insulin, a PI 3'-kinase activator, suppressed both basal and VEGF-stimulated expression. Gel shift analysis revealed that VEGF stimulated NF-kappaB activity. This effect was inhibited by phospholipase C, NF-kappaB, or protein kinase C inhibitor. VEGF increased VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 protein levels and increased leukocyte adhesiveness in a NF-kappaB-dependent manner. These results suggest that VEGF-stimulated expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin mRNAs was mainly through NF-kappaB activation with PI 3'-kinase-mediated suppression, but was independent of nitric oxide and MEK. Thus, VEGF simultaneously activates two signal transduction pathways that have opposite functions in the induction of adhesion molecule expression. The existence of parallel inverse signaling implies that the induction of adhesion molecule expression by VEGF is very finely regulated.     

Single-nucleotide polymorphism g.1548G > A (E469K) in human ICAM-1 gene affects mRNA splicing pattern and TPA-induced apoptosis

The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) g.1548G > A (E469K) in the human intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene has been suggested to have an association with several types of inflammatory diseases. The polymorphism is located at the three-base position upstream of the splice donor site that produces an alternatively spliced short isoform (ICAM-1-S). To clarify its functional relevance, we studied RNA splicing patterns by comparing cells with different genotype (G/G cells and A/A cells). G/G cells expressed a lower amount of ICAM-1-S mRNA than A/A cells. Since ICAM-1-S has no transmembrane or intracellular domain, ICAM-1 signal transduction and cell-cell contact including Fas-FasL interaction may be influenced. In addition, we studied the effect of this change on FLIP-L mRNA and apoptosis. FLIP-L mRNA tended to decrease, while cell death induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was increased. These results suggest that the g.1548 polymorphism modifies inflammatory immune responses by changing cell-cell interaction and then regulating apoptosis.     

ICAM-1 expression in vaginal cells as a potential biomarker for inflammatory response

This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms that may lead to an efficient strategy to induce a suitable host response of the vaginal mucosa upon exposure to intravaginally delivered exogenous compounds. It was hypothesized that the upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 gene expression may reflect the inflammatory response evoked by exogenous compounds. Major emphasis was placed on ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) which was added as a synergistic agent to conventional spermicidal agents or anti-HIV drugs. The levels of ICAM-1 mRNA were examined as a surrogate marker for inflammatory response in human vaginal epithelial cells upon exposure to EDTA or interleukin (IL)-1β (i.e. positive control, 25 mM). The effects of estrogen on EDTA-induced ICAM-1 expression were also evaluated for the estrogen involvement in the inflammatory process of the vaginal mucosa. ICAM-1 expression in human vaginal cells (VK2/E6E7 cells) increased as EDTA concentration added to human vaginal cell lines increased. The effects of estrogen on EDTA-induced ICAM-1 expression in human vaginal epithelial cells were estrogen-concentration dependent; estrogen at lower concentrations (∼1-10 nM) did not affect ICAM-1 expression, whereas estrogen at higher concentrations (∼100 nM-1 µM) attenuated ICAM-1 expression. The influence of estrogen in ICAM-1 expression suggests the beneficial effects of estrogen on the regulation of vaginal homeostasis. Identification and quantification of specific surrogate markers for the inflammatory response evoked by exogenous compounds and their regulation by estrogen will lead to an efficient strategy against sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS.     

Alterations in the Expression of ELAM-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 after In Vitro Infection of Endothelial Cells with a Clinical Isolate of Human Cytomegalovirus

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection of endothelial cells resulted in increased adhesion of the cells to peripheral blood leukocytes. It was demonstrated by flow cytometry that increased adhesiveness parallels the increased expression of cell surface adhesion molecules (ELAM-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1). The increased adhesion of PMN and T-lymphocytes was due to upregulation in the expression of ELAM-1 and ICAM-1. The upregulation of VCAM-1 resulted in the increased adhesiveness of monocytes and T-lymphocytes to HCMV-infected HUVEC. The increased adhesiveness to leukocytes was caused by HCMV replication since endothelial cells exposed to HCMV-free supernatants and UV-inactivated HCMV did not show any increase in adhesiveness to any of the leukocytes tested.     

Mitochondrial extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) are modulated during brain development

Intracellular activation and trafficking of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) play a significant role in cell cycle progression, contributing to developmental brain activities. Additionally, mitochondria participate in cell signalling through energy-linked functions, redox metabolism and activation of pro- or anti-apoptotic proteins. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the presence of ERK1/2 in mitochondria during rat brain development. Immunoblotting, immune electron microscopy and activity assays demonstrated that ERK1/2 are present in fully active brain mitochondria at the outer membrane/intermembrane space fraction. Besides, it was observed that ERK1/2 translocation to brain mitochondria follows a developmental pattern which is maximal between E19-P2 stages and afterwards declines at P3, just before maximal translocation to nucleus, and up to adulthood. Most of mitochondrial ERK1/2 were active; upstream phospho-MAPK/ERK kinases (MEK1/2) were also detected in the brain organelles. Mitochondrial phospho-ERK1/2 increased at 1 microm hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) concentration, but it decreased at higher 50-100 microm H(2)O(2), almost disappearing after the organelles were maximally stimulated to produce H(2)O(2) with antimycin. Our results suggest that developmental mitochondrial activation of ERK1/2 cascade contributes to its nuclear translocation effects, providing information about mitochondrial energetic and redox status to the proliferating/differentiating nuclear pathways.     

Pericyte deficiencies lead to aberrant tumor vascularizaton in the brain of the NG2 null mouse

Tightly regulated crosstalk between endothelial cells and pericytes is required for formation and maintenance of functional blood vessels. When the NG2 proteoglycan is absent from pericyte surfaces, vascularization of syngeneic tumors growing in the C57Bl/6 mouse brain is aberrant in several respects, resulting in retardation of tumor progression. In the NG2 null mouse brain, pericyte investment of the tumor vascular endothelium is reduced, causing deficiencies in both pericyte and endothelial cell maturation, as well as reduced basal lamina assembly. While part of this deficit may be due to the previously-identified role of NG2 in β1 integrin-dependent periyte/endothelial cell crosstalk, the ablation of NG2 also appears responsible for loss of collagen VI anchorage, in turn leading to reduced collagen IV deposition. Poor functionality of tumor vessels in NG2 null brain is reflected by reduced vessel patency and increased vessel leakiness, resulting in large increases in tumor hypoxia. These findings demonstrate the importance of NG2-dependent pericyte/endothelial cell interaction in the development and maturation of tumor blood vessels, identifying NG2 as a potential target for anti-angiogenic cancer therapy.     

复方抗敏灵对哮喘大鼠ICAM—1表达及PLA2的影响

采用卵蛋白等致敏大鼠哮喘模型,观察正常组、哮喘组和中药治疗组大鼠支气管肺泡上皮细胞粘附分子（ICAM－1）的表达情况及支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中磷脂酶A2（PLA2）活性变化,以及BALF中细胞总数及细胞分类情况。结果表明：复方抗敏灵能够抑制哮喘大鼠肺组织ICAM－1表达（P＜0.01）;显著降低哮喘大鼠BALF中PLA2活性（P＜0．01）;同时,具有降低哮喘大鼠BALF中各种炎性细胞的作用（P＜0．01）。     

Increased Expression of Adhesion Molecules (CD54, CD29 and CD44) on Fibroblasts Infected with Cytomegalovirus

The expression of ICAM-1 (CD54), β1 integrin (CD29), and CD44 on cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected human embryonic fibroblasts (HEF) was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of these adhesion molecules increased significantly on CMV-infected HEF, on days 2 and 5 after inoculation, compared to uninfected HEF. However, the expression of these adhesion molecules decreased on herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-infected HEF. Increased expression was not observed on HEF treated either with inactivated CMV or with supernatant fluid of CMV-infected cells. The addition of anti-cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, or IFN-γ) antibodies had no effect on the increase of these adhesion molecules. This suggests that the increase in CD54, CD29, and CD44 on CMV-infected cells requires active virus replication and was not mediated by a soluble factor released from CMV-infected cells. Changes in adhesion molecules on CMV-infected fibroblasts may contribute to inflammation induced by CMV infection.     

Curcumin ameliorates TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression and subsequent THP-1 adhesiveness via the induction of heme oxygenase-1 in the HaCaT cells

Adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 are important in the infiltration of leukocytes into the site of inflammation. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of curcumin on ICAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesiveness as well as its underlying action mechanism in the TNF-α-stimulated keratinocytes. Curcumin induced expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. In addition, curcumin induced Nrf2 activation in dose- and time-dependent manners in the HaCaT cells. Curcumin suppressed TNF-α- induced ICAM-1 expression and subsequent monocyte adhesion, which were reversed by the addition of tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), a specific inhibitor of HO-1, or HO-1 knockdown using siRNA. Furthermore, Nrf2 knockdown using siRNA reversed the inhibitory effect of curcumin on the TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression and adhesion of monocytes to keratinocytes. These results suggest that curcumin may exert its anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing the TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression and subsequent monocyte adhesion via expression of HO-1 in the keratinocytes. [BMB Reports 2013;46(8): 410-415]     

Celastrol suppresses IFN-gamma-induced ICAM-1 expression and subsequent monocyte adhesiveness via the induction of heme oxygenase-1 in the HaCaT cells

Celastrol, a quinone methide triterpenoid derived from the medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii, possesses various biological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we examined the suppressive effect of celastrol on IFN-γ-induced expression of ICAM-1 and the molecular mechanism responsible for these activities. We found that celastrol induced mRNA and protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Treatment of HaCaT cells with tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), a specific inhibitor of HO-1, reversed the suppressive effect of celastrol on IFN-γ-induced protein and mRNA expression of ICAM-1. HO-1 knockdown using small interfering RNA (siRNA) led to reverse inhibition of IFN-γ-induced up-regulation of ICAM-1 by celastrol. In addition, SnPP reversed suppression of IFN-γ-induced promoter activity of ICAM-1 by celastrol. Furthermore, blockage of HO-1 activity by SnPP and HO-1 siRNA reversed the inhibitory effect of celastrol on IFN-γ-induced adhesion of monocytes to keratinocytes. These results suggest that celastrol may exert anti-inflammatory responses by suppressing IFN-γ-induced expression of ICAM-1 and subsequent monocyte adhesion via expression of HO-1 in the keratinocytes.     

Immune restoration in head and neck cancer patients after in vivo COX-2 inhibition

Purpose To determine the immunomodulatory effects of in vivo COX-2 inhibition on leukocyte infiltration and function in patients with head and neck cancer. Experimental design Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck preoperatively received a specific COX-2 inhibitor (rofecoxib, 25 mg daily) orally for 3 weeks. Serum and tumor specimens were collected at the start of COX-2 inhibition (day 0) and again on the day of surgery (day 21). Adhesion to peripheral blood monocytes to ICAM-1 was examined. Percentages of tumor-infiltrating monocytes (CD68, CCR5) and lymphocytes (CCR5, CD4, CD8 and CD25) were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results Monocytes obtained from untreated cancer patients showed lower binding to ICAM-1 compared to monocytes of healthy donors but significantly regained adhesion affinity following incubation in sera of healthy donors. Conversely, sera of cancer patients inhibited adhesion of healthy donors’ monocytes. Tumor monocyte adhesion to ICAM-1 was increased (P < 0.001) after 21 days of COX-2 inhibition, and concomitant increases in tumor infiltrating monocytes (CD68+), lymphocytes (CD68− CCR5+, CD4+ and CD8+) and activated (CD25+) T cells were observed. Conclusions Short-term administration of a COX2 inhibitor restored monocyte binding to ICAM-1 and increased infiltration into the tumor of monocytes and Th1 and CD25+ activated lymphocytes. Thus, in vivo inhibition of the COX-2 pathway may be useful in potentiating specific active immunotherapy of cancer.