title: Methylene blue modulates adhesion molecule expression on microvascular endothelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As methylene blue (MB) has been recently proposed to preserve blood pressure in case of vasoplegic syndrome and shock, an entity directly related to systemic inflammation, we aimed to elucidate the effect of MB on the expression of adhesion-molecules in endothelial-cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human microvascular endothelial-cells (HuMEC-1) were treated with 10, 30 or 60 µM MB for 30 min and 2 h each. Additionally, the treated HuMEC-1 were co-cultured with either human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or Jurkat cells (human T-lymphocytes) for 2 h.
  
  
  METHODS
  HuMEC-1 were analyzed after MB treatment and after co-culture experiments for expression of different adhesion-molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, L-selectin, E-selectin) via FACS measurement and western blot analysis. The supernatants of the experiments were analyzed with regard to the soluble forms of the adhesion molecules.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that MB is able to modulate the expression of adhesion-molecules on EC. Administration of MB increases the expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1 depending on the dosage and time of exposure. ICAM-1 measurements provide evidence that different circulating blood cells can differently alter the adhesion-molecule expression on EC after MB exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provide evidence regarding the immunomodulatory effect of MB upon endothelial-cells after inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Isabella.Werner@kgu.de.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Fengwei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Ulrich A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Stock
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lupinski
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meybohm
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beiras-Fernandez
mesh_terms: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055806:Microvessels; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D008751:Methylene Blue