Modulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 on human coronary smooth muscle cells by cytokines.

Adhesion molecules have been demonstrated immunohistochemically on smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaques. In endothelial cells cytokines are potent modulators of adhesion molecule expression. We therefore investigated the effects of cytokines on adhesion molecule expression on cultured human coronary and pulmonary smooth muscle cells by cell ELISA and confocal microscopy. Human coronary and pulmonary smooth muscle cells expressed ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 but not E-selectin. ICAM-1 expression was upregulated by TNF alpha, Il-1 beta and IFN-gamma. VCAM-1 expression was increased by TNF alpha and weakly by Il-1 beta, IFN-gamma had no effect on VCAM-1 expression. Cytokine effects on ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were based on de novo synthesis. These results demonstrate that cytokines regulate ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression on human coronary and pulmonary smooth muscle cells. These effects may play an important role in the immune mechanisms in atherosclerosis.