A common theme in endothelial activation

Abstract An important early step in the development of an inflammatory infiltrate is the induction of new endothelial cell surface proteins. Cytokine-induced expression of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin or ELAM-1) may mediate neutrophil adhesion to endothelium, whereas induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) may be important in the adhesion of mononuclear cells. Both the corresponding genes are transcriptionally regulated by the inflammatory cytokines. Structural analysis of the promoters of these genes reveals binding sites for the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Activation of the pleiotropic mediator NF-κB in endothelial cells could coordinate the expression of numerous endothelial products that are important in endothelial activation, including some cell surface adhesion proteins, cytokines, growth factors, and components of the coagulation system.