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Rapid induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on monocytes and myelomonocytic cell lines after interferon
P Hutchinson1, N Kraft, R C Atkins
1Nephrology Department, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Interferon gamma increases intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on human monocytes and related cell lines. This enhanced ICAM-1 expression boosts accessory cell activity, though other factors also contribute to immune cell function.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is crucial for lymphocyte activation and migration into tissues.
- ICAM-1 is typically low on monocytes but can increase with certain activation factors.
- Previous research highlighted interferon gamma's (IFNγ) role in ICAM-1 induction on non-leukocytic cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of IFNγ on ICAM-1 expression in human monocytes and myelomonocytic cell lines.
- To determine the functional consequences of IFNγ-induced ICAM-1 upregulation on accessory cell activity.
- To explore the contribution of ICAM-1 to the overall increase in cell activity.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of human monocytes and Rc2A/U937 cell lines with IFNγ.
- Quantification of ICAM-1 expression using flow cytometry or similar techniques.
- Assessment of accessory cell activity via mitogen and allogeneic responses.
- Inhibition studies using specific antibodies against ICAM-1.
- Measurement of Class II MHC and IL-1 production.
Main Results:
- IFNγ induced time- and dose-dependent increases in ICAM-1 on human monocytes and Rc2A/U937 cells.
- Enhanced ICAM-1 on Rc2A cells correlated with increased accessory cell activity (mitogen/allogeneic response).
- Specific antibody inhibition showed ICAM-1 accounted for up to 50% of the increased activity.
- IFNγ did not elevate Class II MHC expression or IL-1 production in these cells.
Conclusions:
- IFNγ effectively upregulates ICAM-1 on human monocytes and related cell lines.
- Increased ICAM-1 contributes significantly, but not exclusively, to enhanced monocyte accessory function.
- Other unidentified factors are involved in IFNγ-mediated increases in monocyte activity.
Abstract:
The ICAM-1 molecule is an important adhesion factor that facilitates lymphocyte activation as well as the movement of lymphocytes into solid tissues. It is poorly expressed on circulating monocytes but higher levels have been described following the use of some activation factors. While previous work has emphasized the role of interferon gamma in inducing increased ICAM-1 expression on nonleukocytic cells, we have demonstrated time- and dose-dependent increases on human monocytes and two myelomonocytic cell lines (Rc2A & U937). The increased level of ICAM-1 expression on the Rc2A cells was associated with higher accessory cell activity as determined by an increased mitogen and allogeneic response but specific antibody inhibition studies indicated only a partial dependence (up to 50%) on this molecule. Class II MHC expression and IL-1 production were not elevated by IFNg treatment of these cells, indicating that other factors account for the remainder of the incremental activity observed following this treatment.
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