Estrogen Regulation of Cell Adhesion Molecules, Affecting Monocyte and Endothelial Cell Interactions
Date of Award
2016
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
First Advisor
Michael P McGuinness, PhD
Second Advisor
Brian Balin, PhD
Third Advisor
Marina D’Angelo, PhD
Abstract
Estrogens have pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action. Specifically estrogens may regulate cell adhesion molecules and alter monocyte binding to endothelial cells. Estrogens bind to receptors present in the nucleus or on the plasma membrane. To determine if estrogen receptors are expressed on the plasma membrane of THP-1 cells, cells were incubated in primary antibody to either ERα, ERβ, actin, or no primary antibody. A secondary antibody conjugated to metallic beads was used to isolate cells. A significantly greater number of cells were isolated with antibodies to ERα or ERβ then cells with no primary antibody or primary antibody to actin. Western Blots were performed to measure the levels of ICAM-1 and VE-Cad in HUVECs and N-Cad and Alpha-L integrin in THP-1 cells. HUVEC cells and THP-1 cells were treated with 17 β estradiol (0-600nM) for 6, 12 and 24 hours. No significant differences were measured in the levels of these cell adhesion molecules. To measure the effect of estradiol on adherence of THP-1 cells to HUVEC cells, one or both cell lines were treated with 200nM estradiol for 24 hours prior to co-culture. The number of THP-1 cells adhering to HUVECs was determined after 15 minutes of co-culture. When HUVEC or THP-1 were treated with 17β estradiol there was a 2 fold decrease in the number of THP-1 cells adhering compared to untreated co-culture. When both HUVEC and THP-1 cells were treated there was a 5 fold decrease in adhering THP-1 cells compared to untreated co-culture. Without affecting the levels of cell adhesion molecules, we have demonstrated that estrogen is able to down-regulate adhesion between monocytes and endothelial cells. Signal transduction from estrogen receptors on the plasma membrane may result in sequestration of cell adhesion molecules in the cytoplasm, which decreases the ability of monocytes to bind to the endothelium.
Recommended Citation
Czapp, Nikole Marie, "Estrogen Regulation of Cell Adhesion Molecules, Affecting Monocyte and Endothelial Cell Interactions" (2016). PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship. 120.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/biomed/120