Expression of the endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) on endothelial cells in experimental gingivitis in humans.

In inflammatory conditions, mediators such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) are released by resident tissue cells as well as by infiltrating inflammatory cells. IL-1 activates endothelial cells causing them to express an adhesion molecule called endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1). IL-1 is produced by macrophages, but can also be produced by activated keratinocytes. Here we present data from a study of experimentally induced gingivitis, showing the expression of ELAM-1 on endothelial cells even in tissue with little or only minor signs of clinical or histological inflammation. These results indicate that ELAM-1 is found on endothelial cells of the gingiva early in the course of experimental gingivitis, before overt clinical or histological evidence of inflammation is apparent.