Background:
With respect
to linoleic acid both beneficial
and proatherogenic effects
have been described. However, the
effect on expression of cell adhesion
molecules on human coronary
artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) is
not yet established. The aim of the
experiments was to evaluate the influence
of linoleic acid in comparison
with palmitic acid regarding
the cytokine-induced expression of
endothelial leukocyte adhesion
molecules (intercellular cell adhesion
molecule-1 ICAM-1, vascular
cell adhesion molecule-1 VCAM-1,
E-selectin).Methods:
HCAEC were
cultured in microvascular endothelial
cell growth medium. In the experiments,
the cells were preincubated
with linoleic acid and
palmitic acid, respectively
(10 µmol/l, 2 days) or under control
conditions, after which interleukin-
1
(IL-1
, 10 ng/ml in the test
medium) was added for 1 day. The
monoclonal antibodies used were
fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-
labeled anti-ICAM-1, FITC-labeled
anti-VCAM-1, and FITC-labeled
anti-E-selectin. Expression was analyzed
by flow cytofluorimetry.
Next, to examine the effects of fatty
acids on adhesion of monocytes to
endothelial cells, adhesion experiments
with the monocytic U 937
cell line were performed.
Results and conclusions:
IL-1
increased
ICAM-1,VCAM-1, and E-selectin
expression compared to controls.
Incubation with IL-1
together
with linoleic acid reduced the expression
of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1
in contrast to palmitic acid. Furthermore,
in the presence of
linoleic acid a tendency of diminished
adhesion of monocytes is
seen.
The results indicate that a reduced
expression of cell adhesion
molecules may be relevant to the
antiatherogenic effects of linoleic
acid. This is in contrast to the properties
of palmitic acid.
Key words endothelial cell - adhesion molecule - fatty acids - interleukin-1