Increase in the adhesion molecule P-selectin in endothelium overlying atherosclerotic plaques. Coexpression with intercellular adhesion molecule-1.
P-selectin (GMP-140) is an adhesion molecule present within endothelial cells that is rapidly translocated to the cell membrane upon activation, where it mediates endothelial-leukocyte interactions. Immunohistochemical analysis of human atherosclerotic plaques has shown strong expression of P-selectin by the endothelium overlying active atherosclerotic plaques. P-selectin is not, however, detected in normal arterial endothelium or in endothelium overlying inactive fibrous plaques. Color image analysis was used to quantitate the degree of P-selectin expression in the endothelium and demonstrates a statistically significant increase in P-selectin expression by atherosclerotic endothelial cells. Double immunofluorescence shows that some of this P-selectin is expressed on the luminal surface of the endothelial cells. Previous work has demonstrated a significant up-regulation in the expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in atherosclerotic endothelium and a study on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and P-selectin in atherosclerosis shows a highly positive correlation. These results suggest that the selective and cooperative expression of P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 may be involved in the recruitment of monocytes into sites of atherosclerosis.
Johnson-Tidey
R R
RR
Department of Experimental Pathology, UMDS, Guys Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
McGregor
J L
JL
Taylor
P R
PR
Poston
R N
RN
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D019007:P-Selectin; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019007:P-Selectin; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1