Platelet-activating factor-induced endothelial cell expression of adhesion molecules and modulation of surface glycocalyx, evaluated by electron spectroscopy chemical analysis.

PAF synthesized by or added to the endothelial cell monolayer has as first target the endothelium itself, inducing the expression of GMP-140 on the cell surface and qualitative alterations in the composition of glycocalyx. As seen by ESCA, sulfated chemical groups were significantly reduced after PAF stimulation. This reduction depended on selective loss of sulfated proteoglycans that were released into the supernatant. The alteration of glycocalyx may favor functional exposure of GMP-140 and of PAF on the surface of endothelial cells and may reduce charge repulsive forces between cells. PAF associated with endothelial cell surface has as second target PMNs and stimulates in cooperation with GMP-140, the functional activation of PMN CD11-CD18 adhesion molecules.