ACE Inhibition Lowers Angiotensin-II-Induced Monocyte Adhesion to HUVEC by Reduction of p65 Translocation and AT1 Expression

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors interfere with several key events of vascular infl ammation resulting in impressive reductions in coronary vascular events. However, in human arteries ACE inhibitors block the production of angiotensin II (AngII) incompletely because of the involvement of alternative pathways in local AngII formation. Therefore, our study concentrated on the presumed modulation by ACE inhibition of local AngII-mediated infl ammatory actions by a mechanism independent of blockage of AngII formation. We analyzed the effect of the ACE inhibitor ramiprilat on AngIIdependent cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression and adhesion of monocytic THP-1 cells to endothelial cells. AngII induced upregulation of P-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 on endothelial cells via activation of AT1, which was correlated with enhanced THP-1 adhesion in fl ow chamber assays. Both enhanced adhesion and adhesion molecule expression were signifi cantly reduced by pretreatment with ramiprilat. Ramiprilat reduced AT1 expression on endothelial cells and decreased the AngII- induced p65 translocation into the nucleus. Diminished AT1 expression and adhesion molecule expression in response to ramiprilat treatment were partially reversed after incubation with a bradykinin 2 receptor antagonist, suggesting that elevated bradykinin levels under ACE inhibition may be involved in the benefi cial effect of ACE inhibitors. Thus, modulation of the local AngII system by ramiprilat may at least in part contribute to the benefi ts of ACE inhibition in the treatment of atherosclerotic diseases

Neutrophil secretion products pave the way for inflammatory monocytes

The leukocyte response in inflammation is characterized by an initial recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) preceding a second wave of monocytes to the site of injury or infection. In the mouse, 2 populations of monocytes have been identified, Gr1-CCR2-CX3CR1(hi) resident monocytes and Gr1+CCR2+CX3CR1(lo) inflammatory monocytes. Here, intravital microscopy of the musculus cremasterand a subcutaneous air pouch model were used to investigate a possible link between PMN extravasation and the subsequent emigration of inflammatory monocytes in response to local stimulation with PAR In mice that were made neutropenic by injection of a PMN-depleting antibody, the extravasation of inflammatory monocytes, but not resident monocytes, was markedly reduced compared with mice with intact white blood cell count but was restored by local treatment with secretion of activated PMN. Components of the PMN secretion were found to and further examination revealed PMN-derived LL-37 and heparin-binding protein (HBP/CAP37/azurocidin) as primary mediators of the recruitment of inflammatory monocytes via activation of formyl-peptide receptors. These data show that LL-37 and HBP specifically stimulate mobilization of inflammatory monocytes. This cellular cross-talk functionally results in enhanced cytokine levels and increased bacterial clearance, thus boosting the early immune response