Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Soluble adhesion molecules serve as biomarkers for disease. h eir expression
correlates with inl ammation. Pro-inl ammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-
1β enhance expression of adhesion molecules, in both bound and soluble forms.
Interventions targeted at decreasing inl ammation, such as anti-inl ammatory
medications and cessation of smoking, have been shown to decrease the enhanced
expression of adhesion molecules.
Dif erent adhesion molecules are thought to be involved at dif erent points
in the molecular pathways leading to disease. Furthermore, for coronary heart
disease, elevation of adhesion molecule concentrations has predictive value.
Smoking has been shown to increase circulating levels of ICAM-1 and P-selectin.
h ese two molecules are involved in the initiation of disease. Once inl ammation
is established, the molecular pathways shit and other adhesion molecules become
important biomarkers for the burden of disease.
SUMMARY
• Risk of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and other cardiovascular
diseases is increased with both smoking and enhanced sICAM-1
expression.
• Risk of chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and asthma is increased
with both smoking and enhanced sICAM-1 expression.
• Cigarette smoking creates a systemic inl ammatory condition leading to
endothelial damage.
• Systemic inl ammation leads to altered expression of adhesion molecules,
thus facilitating inl ammatory damage of the endothelium and underlying
tissues.
• sICAM-1 is a soluble adhesion molecule associated with smoking-induced
inl ammatory damage.
• ICAM-1 is likely involved with the initiation of inl ammatory injury,
whereas other adhesion molecules are involved with dif erent points in the
inl ammatory cascade.
Abbreviations
AMI
acute myocardial infarction
BALF
bronchoalveolar lavage l uid
CD
cardiac death
CHD
coronary heart disease
CSC
cigarette smoke condensate
COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
