Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression is upregulated by thrombin in human monocytes and THP-1 cells in vitro and in pregnant subjects in vivo.
Monocytes play a pivotal role in both the inflammatory and coagulation responses, which may be mediated through a variety of adhesion molecules on the cell surface, including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Monocytes also possess thrombin receptors. In the current study, we have demonstrated that thrombin can upregulate ICAM-1 mRNA and induce ICAM-1 expression on the monocyte in vitro and that, in vivo, higher monocyte ICAM-1 expression is observed in pregnancy (which is characterised by a physiological increase in thrombin generation). In pregnant subjects, a positive correlation between monocyte ICAM-1 expression and a number of markers of vascular/thrombotic disease (including blood group, acquired activated protein C resistance and non-fasting plasma triglyceride levels) was observed. We also observed a significant relationship between monocyte ICAM-1 expression and soluble plasma ICAM-1 levels, which would be consistent with a contribution of monocytic ICAM-1 to the levels of free ICAM-1 observed in plasma during pregnancy. Consistent with a role in fibrinogen binding, our preliminary in vivo results suggest that monocyte ICAM-1 expression may be a useful marker of the thrombotic/inflammatory response, although further work is required to assess the relationship of monocyte ICAM-1 expression in thrombotic disorders.
Clark
Peter
P
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. peter.clark@snbts.csa.scot.nhs.uk
Jordan
Fiona
F
Pearson
Charles
C
Walker
Isobel D
ID
Sattar
Naveed
N
Ellison
Joanne
J
Greer
Ian A
IA
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012995:Solubility; D013917:Thrombin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000097:blood; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*
D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D013917:Thrombin