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P-cresol, a uremic toxin, decreases endothelial cell response to inflammatory cytokines
Laetitia Dou1, Claire Cerini, Philippe Brunet
1INSERM EMI0019, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de la Méditerranée, and Service de Néphrologie, Hôpital de la Conception, Marseille, France.
Background:
Infectious diseases are among the most morbid events in uremia. The uremic toxin p-cresol may play a role in the immunodeficiency of uremia by depressing phagocyte functional capacity. Leukocyte adhesion to endothelium, a key event in the immune response, is mediated by endothelial adhesion molecules. These include intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin, which are induced by various inflammatory cytokines. We asked whether p-cresol alters endothelial adhesion molecule expression and modifies endothelial/leukocyte adhesion.
Methods:
Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were incubated with p-cresol in the presence or absence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). Thereafter, the endothelial molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin were quantitated and the monocyte (THP-1) adhesion to HUVEC measured.
Results:
P-cresol decreased cytokine-induced protein and mRNA expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. In addition, p-cresol significantly decreased the adhesion of THP-1 to cytokine-stimulated HUVEC.
Conclusions:
P-cresol may play a role in the immune defect of uremic patients by inhibiting cytokine-induced endothelial adhesion molecule expression and endothelium/monocyte adhesion.