[Beta1 integrins and edema formation in acute inflammation--new therapeutic possibilities?].
BACKGROUND
The role of the intestitium (the extracellular and extravascular tissue) with regard to transcapillary fluid balance and control of interstitial fluid volume has normally been considered to be a "passive controller".


METHODS
This review is based upon literature collected through the authors' own studies and through Medline searches.


RESULTS
Recent studies, however, indicate that the connective tissue cells can actively modulate physical properties of the interstitial matrix, so that it becomes an "active" participant in transcapillary fluid exchange and thereby interstitial fluid homeostasis. The beta 1-integrin system seems to provide a common pathway by which the cells can raise and lower interstitial fluid pressure and thereby regulate the tissue fluid volume.


CONCLUSIONS
Experiments in which a new anti-inflammatory agent (alpha-trinositol), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and a prostagladin F2 alpha-analog (latanoprost) modulate interstitial fluid pressure and oedema generation in acute inflammation, suggest that the extracellular matrix can be a target for pharmacological intervention during inflammatory processes.
Berg
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Barneklinikken, Haukeland Sykehus, Bergen. Ansgar.Berg@Haukeland.no
Rubin
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Reed
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D000208:Acute Disease; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008954:Models, Biological; D009997:Osmotic Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D018821:CD18 Antigens; D016023:Integrins; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost