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Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) has been implicated in endothelial cell motility during angiogenesis. Although there is evidence that SHP-2 plays a role in PECAM-1-dependent cell motility, the molecular basis of the activity of SHP-2 in this process has not been defined. To investigate the requirement of SHP-2 in PECAM-1-dependent cell motility, studies were done in which various constructs of SHP-2 were expressed in cell transfectants expressing PECAM-1. We observed that the levels of PECAM-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and SHP-2 association with PECAM-1 were significantly increased in cells expressing a phosphatase-inactive SHP-2 mutant, suggesting that the level of PECAM-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, and thus SHP-2 binding are regulated in part by bound, catalytically active SHP-2. We subsequently found that expression of PECAM-1 stimulated wound-induced migration and the formation of filopodia (a morphological feature of motile cells). These activities were associated with increased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and the dephosphorylation of paxillin (an event implicated in the activation of MAPK). The phosphatase-inactive SHP-2 mutant, however, suppressed these PECAM-1-dependent phenomena, whereas the activity of PECAM-1 expressing cells was not altered by expression of wild-type SHP-2 or SHP-2 in which the scaffold/adaptor function had been disabled. Pharmacological inhibition of SHP-2 phosphatase activity also suppressed PECAM-1-dependent motility. Furthermore, PECAM-1 expression also stimulates tube formation, but none of the SHP-2 constructs affected this process. These findings therefore suggest a model for the involvement of SHP-2 in PECAM-1-dependent motility in which SHP-2, recruited by its interaction with PECAM-1, targets paxillin to ultimately activate the MAPK pathway and downstream events required for cell motility. mitogen-activated protein kinase; angiogenesis; leukocyte transendothelial migration doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00436.2009.

Atherogenesis involves activation of NF-[kappa]B in endothelial cells by fluid shear stress. Because this pathway involves integrins, we investigated the involvement of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). We found that FAK was not required for flow-stimulated translocation of the p65 NF-[kappa]B subunit to the nucleus but was essential for phosphorylation of p65 on serine 536 and induction of ICAM-1, an NF-[kappa]B-dependent gene. NF-[kappa]B activation by TNF-[alpha] or hydrogen peroxide was FAK independent. Events upstream of NF-[kappa]B, including integrin activation, Rac activation, reactive oxygen production, and degradation of I[kappa]B, were FAK independent. FAK therefore regulates NF-[kappa]B phosphorylation and transcriptional activity in response to flow by a novel mechanism. atherosclerosis; fluid shear stress; integrin signaling; mechanotransduction doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00226.2009

In many organs, integrins and cadherins are partly regulated by Hox genes, but their interactions in airway morphogenesis and congenital lung diseases are unknown. We previously showed that the Hox protein HoxB5 is abnormally increased in bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM), congenital lung lesions with abnormal airway branching. We now report on [[alpha].sub.2]-, [[alpha].sub.3]-, and [[beta].sub.1]-integrin and E-cadherin expression in normal human lung and in BPS and CCAM tissue previously shown to have abnormal HoxB5 expression and on the relationship of cell adhesion molecule expression to Hoxb5 regulation, [[alpha].sub.2]-, [[alpha].sub.3]-, and [[beta].sub.1]-integrins and E-cadherin expression in normal human lung and BPS and CCAM were evaluated using Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Fetal mouse lung fibroblasts with Hoxb5-specific siRNA downregulation were evaluated for [[alpha].sub.2]-integrin protein levels by Western blot. Compared with normal human lung, a previously undetected [[alpha].sub.2]-integrin isoform potentially lacking essential cytoplasmic sequences was significantly increased in BPS and CCAM, and [[alpha].sub.2]-integrin spatial and cellular expression was more intense. E-cadherin protein levels were also significantly increased, whereas [[alpha].sub.3] increased in CCAM compared with canalicular, but not with alveolar, stage lung. [[beta].sub.1]-integrin levels were unchanged. We conclude that in BPS and CCAM, altered [[alpha].sub.2]-integrin cytoplasmic signaling contributes to abnormal cellular behavior in these lung lesions. Aberrant cell adhesion molecule and Hox protein regulation are likely part of the mechanism involved in the development of BPS and CCAM. [[alpha].sub.2]-integrin; [[alpha].sub.3]-integrin; E-cadherin; Hox proteins

Endothelial lipase (EL) is a novel phospholipase that determines plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. We have investigated the role of HDL-C in lung allergic inflammation by using EL knockout (EL-KO) mice that are high in HDL-C. EL-KO and wild-type control mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin to evoke eosinophilic inflammation in the lung. EL was expressed in epithelial cells, alveolar type II cells, and endothelial cells in the lung, and its expression was upregulated during inflammation. Concomitant with attenuated hyperresponsiveness of the airway smooth muscles, the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage and the expression of VCAM-1 were lower in EL-KO mice than in control mice. HDL reduced cytokine-induced VCAM-1 expression in cultured endothelial cells. When plasma HDL levels were decreased to similar levels in both mouse groups by adenovirus-mediated overexpression of EL, however, eosinophil infiltration was still lower in EL-KO mice. In vitro adhesion assays revealed that EL expression on the cell surface promoted the interaction of eosinophils through the ligand-binding function of EL. In summary, targeted inactivation of EL attenuated allergic inflammation in the lung, and the protective effects in EL-KO mice were associated with high plasma HDL levels, downregulation of VCAM-1, and loss of the direct ligand-binding function of EL. Thus EL is a novel modulator of the progression of allergic asthma. high-density lipoprotein; cholesterol; adhesion molecule; allergy; endothelium

Hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) accounts for some cardiovascular adverse effects of hyperglycemia. We investigated whether the HBP inhibitor azaserine protects against hyperglycemia-induced endothelial damage dependently of HBP. Human endothelial cells isolated from umbilical veins were exposed either to a high (30.5 mmol/l) or low concentration of glucose (5.5 mmol/l) for 4 days, followed by a stimulation with TNF-[alpha] (1 ng/ml, 24 h). The blockade of the rate-limiting enzyme glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amido-transferase inhibited HBP flux and oxidative stress (generation of superoxide and peroxynitrite) under the hyperglycemic condition and prevented the synergistic stimulation of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression by hyperglycemia and TNF-[alpha]. In the cells cultured under a low-glucose condition when no increased HBP flux occurred, azaserine enhanced the manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) protein level and also inhibited the oxidative stress and the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in response to TNF-[alpha]. Moreover, the polyphenol resveratrol inhibited the oxidative stress and adhesion molecule expression and did not decrease the HBP flux under the hyperglycemia condition. In addition, in isolated rat aortas exposed to hyperglycemic buffer for 5 h when no significant HBP flux occurred, azaserine upregulated the MnSOD protein level and prevented decreased endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine. In conclusion, hyperglycemia independently increases oxidative stress and HBP flux, amplifies endothelial inflammation, and impairs endothelial function mainly through oxidative stress and not the HBP pathway. Azaserine protects against hyperglycemic endothelial damage through its antioxidant effect independently of inhibiting HBP pathway. adhesion molecules; endothelium; glucose; O-linked acetylglusamine; superoxide

Activation of the CD40 receptor by its cognate ligand, CD 154, results in interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production and increased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in proximal tubule cells (PTCs). The independent role of these two proinflammatory chemokines, IL-8 and MCP-1, in inciting an inflammatory response in PTCs was explored. Exposure of primary cultures of human renal PTCs to recombinant IL-8 and MCP-1 resulted in increased ICAM-1 expression measured by quantitative real-time PCR, but confirmed only for IL-8 by immunoblot. The mechanism of action of IL-8 was explored in further detail. Immunohistochemistry identified both the CXCR-1 and CXCR-2 receptors, confirmed by RT-PCR, immunoprecipitation, immunoblot, and FACS analysis. IL-8 increased ICAM-1 expression only via the CXCR-1 receptor, which in turn resulted in activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway; neither the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) 1/2 MAPK pathway nor the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) pathway was involved. CD154/CD40-mediated ICAM-1 upregulation was not affected by preincubation of monolayers with the CXCR-1 blocking antibody, indicating that ICAM-1 expression occurs independent of CD154-mediated IL-8 production. Coincubation of monolayers with both CD154 and IL-8 resulted in a greater ICAM-1 response than either compound alone. We conclude that in human renal PTCs, IL-8 upregulates ICAM-1 production by engaging the CXCR-1 receptor and p38 MAPK signaling pathway. This cascade of events is independent of CD40/CD154-mediated IL-8 stimulation and ICAM-1 production and serves to amplify the inflammatory response. chemokines; IL-8 receptor; mitogen-activated protein kinases; interstitial inflammation; kidney cells

Ischemiareperfusion (IR) injury is a major insult to postcapillary venules. We hypothesized that IR increases postcapillary venular hydraulic conductivity and that IR-mediated changes in hydraulic conductivity result from temporally and mechanistically separate processes. A microcannulation technique was used to determine hydraulic conductivity ([L.sub.p]) in rat mesenteric postcapillary venules serially throughout ischemia (45 min) and reperfusion (5 h) induced by superior mesenteric artery occlusion and release. Mesenteric IR resulted in a biphasic increase in [L.sup.p]. White blood cell (WBC) adhesion slowly increased with maximal adhesion corresponding to the second peak (P < 0.005). After IR, tissue was harvested for RT-PCR analysis of ICAM-1, E-selectin, and P-selectin mRNA. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA in the gut showed the most significant upregulation. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that ICAM-1 mRNA was upregulated 60-fold in the gut. An ICAM-1 antibody was therefore used to determine the effect of WBC adhesion on [L.sub.p] during IR. ICAM-1 inhibition attenuated [L.sub.p] during the first peak and completely blocked the second peak (P < 0.005). When rats were fed a tungsten diet to inhibit xanthine oxidase and then underwent IR, [L.sub.p] was dramatically attenuated during the first peak and mildly decreased the second peak (P < 0.005). Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by oxypurinol decreased [L.sub.p] during IR by over 60% (P < 0.002). Tempol, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, decreased [L.sub.p] during IR by over 30% (P < 0.01). We conclude that IR induces a biphasic increase in postcapillary hydraulic conductivity. Reactive oxygen species impact both the first transient peak and the sustained second peak. However, the second peak is also dependent on WBC-endothelial cell adhesion. These serial measurements of postcapillary hydraulic conductivity may lead the way for optimal timing of pharmaceutical therapies in IR injury. microvascular permeability; reactive oxygen species; intercellular adhesion molecule-1

We examined the effects of supernatants of culture media of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells on the expression of adhesion molecules on human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and evaluated whether the overexpression of adhesion molecules facilitated the attachment of carcinoma cells to LECs. The 48-h stimulation of MDA-MB-231, but not MCF-7, supernatant produced a significant expression of ICAM-1 on human LECs but little or no expression of E-selectin. Chemical treatment with dialyzed substances of intercellular adhesion molecule-1; sentinel lymph node

Two key characteristics of the inflammatory response are the recruitment of leukocytes to inflamed tissue as well as changes in vessel permeability. We explored the relationship between these two processes using intravital confocal microscopy in cremasters of anesthetized (65 mg/kg Nembutal ip) mice. We provide direct evidence that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) links leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and changes in solute permeability ([P.sub.s]). Importantly, we show that arterioles, not just venules, respond to proinflammatory stimuli, thus contributing to microvascular exchange. We identified two independent, ICAM-1-mediated pathways regulating [P.sub.s]. Under control conditions in wild-type (WT) mice, there is a constitutive PKC-dependent pathway ([P.sub.s] = 1.0 [+ or -] 0.10 and 2.2 [+ or -] 0.46 x [10.sup.-6] cm/s in arterioles and venules, respectively), which was significantly reduced in ICAM-1 knockout (KO) mice ([P.sub.s] = 0.54 [+ or -] 0.07 and 0.77 [+ or -] 0.11 x [10.sub.-6] cm/s). The PKC inhibitor hisindolylmaleimid 1 (1 [micro]mol/l in 0.01% DMSO) decreased [P.sub.s] in WT mice to levels similar to those in ICAM-1 KO mice. Likewise, a PKC activator (phorbol-12-myristate-acetate; 1 [micro]mol/l in 0.01% DMSO) successfully restored [P.sub.s] in ICAM-1 KO vessels to be not different from that of the WT controls. On the other hand, during TNF-[alpha]-induced inflammation, [P.sub.s] in WT mice was significantly increased (2-fold in venules and 2.5-fold in arterioles) in a Src-dependent and PKC-independent manner. The blockade of Src (PP2; 2 [micro]mol/l in 0.01% DMSO) but not PKC significantly reduced the TNF-[alpha]-dependent increase in [P.sub.s]. We conclude that ICAM-1 plays an essential role in the regulation of [P.sub.s] in microvessels and that there are two separate (constitutive and inducible) signaling pathways that regulate permeability under normal and inflamed conditions. adhesion molecules; microvascular exchange

This study aimed to 1) assess whether substance P (SP) acts via neurokinin (NK)-I and NK-2 receptors to stimulate neurogenic inflammation (indicated by formation of ICAM-1 expression and oxidative stress) following oil smoke exposure (OSE) in rats; and 2) determine if pretreatment with antioxidants ameliorates the deleterious effects of OSE. Rats were pretreated with NK-1 receptor antagonist CP-96345, NK-2 receptor antagonist SR-48968, vitamin C, or catechins. OSE was for 30-120 min. Rats were killed 0-8 h later. Total lung resistance ([R.sub.L), airway smooth muscle activity (ASMA), lung ICAM-1 expression, neurogenic plasma extravasation (via India ink and Evans blue dye), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid SP concentrations, and reactive oxygen species formation [via lucigenin- and luminalamplified chemiluminescence (CL)] were assessed. Lung histology was performed. SP concentrations increased significantly in nonpretreated rats following OSE in a close-dependent manner. [R.sub.L] and total ASMA increased over time after OSE. Vitamin C and catechin pretreatments were associated with significantly reduced lucigenin CL 2 and 4 h after OSE. Pretreatment with catechins significantly reduced luminal CL counts 4 and 8 h after OSE. Evans blue levels were significantly reduced following 60 and 120 min of OSE in catechinand CP-96345-pretreated rats. ICAM-1 protein expression was significantly decreased in all pretreatment groups after OSE. Thickening of the alveolar capillary membrane, focal hemorrhaging, interstitial pneumonitis, and peribronchiolar inflammation were apparent in OSE lungs. These findings suggest that SP acts via the NK-1 receptor to provoke neurogenic inflammation, oxidative stress, and ICAM-1 expression after OSE in rats. reactive oxygen species; intracellular adhesion molecule-1: acute lung injury

Cell adhesion, mediated by specific receptor-ligand interactions, plays an important role in biological processes such as tumor metastasis and inflammatory cascade. For example, interactions between [[beta].sub.2]-integrin (lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 and/or Mac-l) on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and ICAM-1 on melanoma cells initiate the bindings of melanoma cells to PMNs within the tumor microenvironment in blood flow, which in turn activate PMN-melanoma cell aggregation in a near-wall region of the vascular endothelium, therefore enhancing subsequent extravasation of melanoma cells in the microcirculations. Kinetics of integrin-ligand bindings in a shear flow is the determinant of such a process, which has not been well understood. In the present study, interactions of PMNs with WM9 melanoma cells were investigated to quantify the kinetics of [[beta].sub.2]-integrin and ICAM-1 bindings using a cone-plate viscometer that generates a linear shear flow combined with a two-color flow cytometry technique. Aggregation fractions exhibited a transition phase where it first increased before 60 s and then decreased with shear durations. Melanoma-PMN aggregation was also found to be inversely correlated with the shear rate. A previously developed probabilistic model was modified to predict the time dependence of aggregation fractions at different shear rates and medium viscosities. Kinetic parameters of [[beta].sub.2]-integrin and ICAM-1 bindings were obtained by individual or global fittings, which were comparable to respectively published values. These findings provide new quantitative understanding of the biophysical basis of leukocyte-tumor cell interactions mediated by specific receptor-ligand interactions under shear flow conditions. heterotypic cell aggregation; adhesion molecule; leukocyte; tumor cell; reverse rate; binding affinity; probabilistic model; polymorpho-nuclear neutrophils; intercellular adhesion molecule-1

The pathogenesis of acute renal failure (ARF) occurring during the course of sepsis is incompletely understood. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a key cell adhesion molecule upregulated by LPS, which binds to the integrins CD11a/CD18 and CD11b/CD18 present on the surface of leukocytes. We hypothesized that ICAM-1 facilitates renal injury in LPS-induced ARF. To test this, three groups of mice (n = 8 per group) were injected intraperitoneally with 6 mg/kg LPS: 1) normal C57BL/6 mice, 2) mice with a targeted deficiency of ICAM-1 ([ICAM-1.sup.-/-]), and 3) mice expressing very low levels of CD18 (CD18-def). [ICAM-1.sup.-/-] mice were significantly resistant to LPS-mediated ARF, as opposed to CD18-def mice, which developed severe ARF, as did wild-type controls (48 h blood urea nitrogen 143 [+ or -] 31.5, 70.8 [+ or -] 24.4, and 185 [+ or -] 16.6 mg/dl in wild-type, [ICAM-1.sup.-/-], and CD18-def mice, respectively, P < 0.05). At death, [ICAM-1.sup.-/-] mice had significantly less renal neutrophil infiltration than the other two groups, as well as less histological tubular injury. Depletion of neutrophils with mAb Gr-1 led to a profound exaggeration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release and high mortality, but neutrophil-depleted mice receiving 10-fold less LPS were protected against ARF despite TNF release similar to what is normally associated with LPS-induced ARF. LPS caused a significant increase in renal expression of chemokines; however, this increase was significantly exaggerated in CD18-def mice, which may account for their lack of protection. In conclusion, these data show that ICAM-1 plays a key role in LPS-induced ARF. sepsis; neutrophils; vascular cell adhesion molecule-1; chemokines

Modulation of adhesion molecule expression or function is regarded as a promising therapy for inflammatory conditions. This study evaluates the effects of an inhibitor of adhesion molecule expression (GI270384X) in two experimental models of colitis. Colitis of different severity was induced in C57BL/6J mice by administering 1, 2, or 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). GI270384X (3, 10, or 25 mg x [kg.sup.-1] x [day.sup.-1]) was administered as pretreatment or started 3 days after colitis induction. In IL-10-deficient mice, the highest dose was given for 2 wk. The clinical course of colitis, pathological changes, serum inflammatory biomarkers, expression of adhesion molecules, and leukocyteendothelial cell interactions in colonic venules were measured in mice treated with vehicle or with active drug. In the most severe forms of colitis (2% and 3% DSS and IL-10-deficient mice), the magnitude of colonic inflammation was not modified by treatment with GI270384X. In a less severe form of colitis (1% DSS), GI270384X treatment dose dependently ameliorated the clinical signs of colitis, colonic pathological changes, and serum levels of biomarkers (IL-6 and serum amyloid A). Administration of 25 mg x [kg.sup.-1] x [day.sup.-1] GI270384X abrogated upregulation of ICAM-1 in the inflamed colon but had no effect on VCAM-1 or E-selectin expression. This was associated with a significant reduction in number of rolling and firmly adherent leukocytes in colonic venules. These results indicate that GI270384X is effective in the treatment of experimental colitis of moderate severity. Reduced adhesion molecule expression and leukocyte recruitment to the inflamed intestine contribute to this beneficial effect. endothelium; ICAM-1; leukocyte