Background: Endothelium is supported, in normal
conditions, by a basement membrane composed,
among others, by collagen IV and laminin. Changes
in the basement membrane composition could induce
changes in endothelial cell modifying their
interactions with leukocytes. Methods and Results:
Isolated polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and
peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were
added to cultured human umbilical endothelial cells
(HuVEC) previously seeded on collagen IV, collagen
I or gelatin. Adhesion of leukocytes to HUVEC and
specific cytotoxicity were analysed. PMN adhesion and
cytotoxicity were lower whereas those from PBMC
were higher when HuVEC were seeded on collagen I,
as compared with cells seeded on collagen IV. To
analyse the mechanisms involved in these
phenomena, P-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MCP-
1 expression were evaluated in HuVEC seeded on
the different ECM components. P-selectin and mRNA
expression of VCAM-1 were lower in cells seeded on
collagen I. By contrast, MCP-1 expression was higher
in collagen I. Collagen I-dependent effects were
partially prevented when collagen I was treated with
pepsin. ILK activity was lower in cells seeded on
collagen I, whereas ERK 1/2 activity was enhanced.
ILK overexpression reduced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation
and this could promote the reduction in P-selectin
and the increase in MCP-1. Conclusion: Collagen I
decreased ILK activity and this would induce an
increase in ERK 1/2 activity in HuVEC. As a
consequence, the P-selectin content is diminished
and, by contrast, the MCP-1 content is increased.
The final effect is a lower recruitment of PMN and a
higher adhesion of PBMC.