title: Bilirubin inhibits the TNFalpha-related induction of three endothelial adhesion molecules.
abstract: Since an increased serum unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) level has been proposed as an independent protective factor against atherosclerotic disease, we investigated the molecular events at the basis of this effect. HUVEC and H5V cells were treated with TNFalpha and UCB and the effects assessed on E-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. In HUVEC cells, UCB blunted the TNFalpha-induced gene upregulation of E-selectin VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. The same pattern was observed in H5V cells except for ICAM-1. UCB also inhibited the PMN endothelial adhesion in HUVEC H5V cells. Western blot and FACS analysis confirmed that UCB prevented TNFalpha-induced over-expression of adhesion molecules proteins in H5V cells. These data contribute to further explain the protective effect of bilirubin against development of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Centro Studi Fegato, AREA Science Park, Basovizza, 34012 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Graciela Luján
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Mazzone
authors.forename: Igino
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rigato
authors.forename: J Donald
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ostrow
authors.forename: Fleur
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bossi
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bortoluzzi
authors.forename: Caecilia H C
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Sukowati
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tedesco
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tiribelli
mesh_terms: D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019040:E-Selectin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D001663:Bilirubin