Various cell types in human atherosclerotic lesions express ICAM-1. Further immunocytochemical and immunochemical studies employing monoclonal antibody 10F3.

Abstract

The specificity of monoclonal antibody 10F3, generated to smooth muscle cells isolated from fetal human aorta, has been further explored in a series of biological, biochemical, and immunocytochemical studies. In the first assay, it was found that 10F3 could inhibit aggregation of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocytes in a manner comparable to that of antibody RR1/1, an anti-intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) monoclonal antibody. In immunoprecipitation experiments followed by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis, both 10F3 and RR1/1 immunoprecipitated 90 kd proteins, with results suggesting that the two antibodies recognized different epitopes of the same molecule. A series of immunocytochemical studies on human atherosclerotic lesions was performed; using single-labeling techniques, 10F3-positive cells were found in the vessel wall and in lesions of virtually all specimens of fatty streaks and fibrous plaques. Using double-labeling techniques, 10F3-positive macrophages and 10F3-positive smooth muscle cells were found; however, there were also a significant number of non-smooth muscle, nonmacrophage 10F3-positive cells. These studies demonstrate that 10F3 identifies ICAM-1, and that this protein is expressed on a variety of cell types in human atherosclerotic lesions. ICAM-1 may represent a developmentally regulated protein that is expressed in fetal but not adult mesenchymal cells, but can be re-expressed in pathologic processes such as atherosclerosis.