Gastrin induces the interaction between human mononuclear leukocytes and endothelial cells through the endothelial expression of P-selectin and VCAM-1

Gastric mucosal inflammation is frequently associated with hypergastrinemia, and a correlation exists between the level of gastrin and degree of gastritis. We have previously observed that gastrin promotes leukocyte-endothelial interactions and contributes to Helicobacter-induced inflammation in the rat mesentery. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate a possible proinflammatory activity of gastrin in humans. The interaction between human leukocytes [U-937 cells, peripheral blood polymorphonuclear (PMN), and peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) cells] and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was analyzed in static and dynamic conditions. The endothelial expression of adhesion molecules [P-selectin, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1] was analyzed by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy screening. Gastrin increased the static adhesion of U-937 cells to HUVEC (1 h; 10−9 M: 122 ± 9%; 10−8 M: 143 ± 17%; 10−7 M: 162 ± 14% vs. control, all P...