title: Expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin and TNF-alpha on the endothelium of femoral and iliac arteries in thromboangiitis obliterans.
abstract: Immunohistochemical light and electron microscopical analysis of surgical biopsies obtained from femoral and iliac arteries of patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) were performed to investigate the presence of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and expression of the endothelial cell adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin. Expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin was increased on endothelium and some inflammatory cells in the thickened intima in all TAO patients. Ultrastructural immunohistochemistry revealed contacts between mononuclear blood cells and ICAM-1-, and E-selectin-positive endothelial cells. These endothelial cells showed morphological signs of activation. The present data indicate that endothelial cells are activated in TAO and that vascular lesions are associated with TNF-alpha secretion by tissue-infiltrating inflammatory cells, ICAM-1-, VCAM-1- and E-selectin expression on endothelial cells and leukocyte adhesion via their ligands. The preferential expression of inducible adhesion molecules in microvessels and mononuclear inflammatory cells suggests that angiogenesis contributes to the persistence of the inflammatory process in TAO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Medical Faculty, Thracian University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Krasimira
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Halacheva
authors.forename: Maya V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Gulubova
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Manolova
authors.forename: Dimitar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petkov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D013919:Thromboangiitis Obliterans / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D019040:E-Selectin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1