Human colon cancer cells express ICAM-1 in vivo and support LFA-1-dependent lymphocyte adhesion in vitro

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a cell surface adhesion glycoprotein that mediates leukocyte adhesion through interaction with the leukocyte CD11/CD18 adhesion complex. The aim of this study was to determine whether ICAM-1 is expressed by normal or neoplastic colonic epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical studies on human colonic tissue demonstrated focal ICAM-1 expression by colonic carcinomas but not by normal colonic epithelium. ICAM-1 expression by colonic carcinomas showed a positive correlation with the presence of a peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate. Surface expression of ICAM-1 was also observed in HT-29 cultured human colon cancer cells by both immunohistochemistry and enzyme immunoassay. Interferon-gamma and interleukin-1 beta significantly increased ICAM-1 surface expression by HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Upregulation of ICAM-1 surface expression became evident some hours after cytokine stimulation and was inhibited by both actinomycin D and cycloheximide, indicating a requirement for de novo RNA and protein synthesis. HT-29 monolayers supported adhesion of human lymphocytes as determined by a quantitative 111In-labeled leukocyte adhesion assay. Adhesion was mediated in part via interaction of ICAM-1 on HT-29 cells with lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (CD11a/CD18) on lymphocytes, as defined by using blocking monoclonal antibodies. Expression of ICAM-1 and/or other leukocyte adhesion receptors by neoplastic epithelial cells may play a role in directing leukocyte trafficking and leukocyte-epithelial cell interactions in colonic carcinoma.