Modulation of ICAM-1 levels on U-937 cells and mouse macrophages by interleukin-1 beta and dexamethasone.

Differentiation of U-937 cells with phorbol ester (10 nM) induced a time-dependent (24 h or 48 h) increase of adhesion molecules and lipocortin 1 expression on the cell surface. Stimulation with interleukin-1 beta for a further 16 h increased the levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and this effect was inhibited by co-incubation with 0.1-1 microM dexamethasone. The effect of the glucocorticoid was not modified by addition of a specific anti-lipocortin 1 monoclonal antibody (mAb 1A, 5 micrograms/ml). This opposite modulatory role of interleukin-1 and dexamethasone on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression was also, for the first time, observed in vivo using mouse peritoneal macrophages: a four-fold increase in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression was measured after local administration of the cytokine (5 micrograms/kg) and this effect was greatly inhibited (> 70%) by co-injection with 1 microgram dexamethasone. In conclusion, modulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression by glucocorticoids is an effect independent endogenous lipocortin 1, and it is an in vivo feature of these potent anti-inflammatory drugs.