OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on monocyte adhesion function and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: The effects of DEX and fasudil on adhesion of cultured U937 monocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) following stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were studied; Changes in the Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) protein content and activity were evaluated. RESULTS: DEX and fasudil significantly inhibited U937 cell adhesion rates under PMA stimulation and inhibited ROCK1 activity. Mifepristone (RU-486) and cycloheximide (CHX) did not alter these effects of DEX. CONCLUSIONS: DEX interferes with the adhesion function of U937 cells through the inhibition of ROCK1 activity.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on monocyte adhesion function and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: The effects of DEX and fasudil on adhesion of cultured U937 monocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) following stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were studied; Changes in the Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) protein content and activity were evaluated. RESULTS:DEX and fasudil significantly inhibited U937 cell adhesion rates under PMA stimulation and inhibited ROCK1 activity. Mifepristone (RU-486) and cycloheximide (CHX) did not alter these effects of DEX. CONCLUSIONS:DEX interferes with the adhesion function of U937 cells through the inhibition of ROCK1 activity.