Increased expression of ICAM-1, E-selectin, and VCAM-1 by cultured human endothelial cells upon exposure to haptens.

Contact allergens induce several accessory signals which promote the activation of antigen-specific T cells. One of these signals is the increased expression of adhesion molecules on antigen-presenting cells and endothelial cells. Epicutaneous application of non-toxic doses of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) onto the skin of non-sensitized individuals elicited progressive staining for ICAM-1 on dermal microvascular endothelial cells. To elucidate the question of whether contact allergens can act directly on endothelial cells to elevate their expression of surface structures that bind leukocytes, confluent monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with the contact a…