Adhesive protein expression on human endothelial cells after in vitro contact with woven Dacron

In this research adhesive proteins are studied in order to evaluate the interference of woven Dacron in the endothelialization process and in the ability of endothelial cells to bind circulating leucocytes. Endothelial cells from human umbilical vein (HUVEC) were put in contact with woven Dacron for 24 h. PECAM-1, ELAM-1, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression was then evaluated by flow cytometry, using indirect immunofluorescence reaction with monoclonal antibodies. The study of adhesive proteins was completed with the quantitative determination of surface antigens expressed as the antibody binding capacity (ABC). Antigenic density was calculated by the DAKO QFIT calibration system for indirect immunofluorescence. After contact with woven Dacron no significant change was observed in the percentage of positive cells or in the fluorescence intensity of the adhesins. No significant variation was also noted by calculating the surface antigen density by means of calibration fluorospheres. It can be concluded that the material examined does not significantly affect leucocyte adhesion to the endothelium. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.