In vitro modulation of adhesion molecules, adhesion phenomena, and fluid phase endocytosis on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and brain-derived microvascular endothelium by IFN-β1a

Administration of interferon-β (IFN-β) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients provides clinical benefits, although its mechanism(s) of action are not completely understood. We addressed the issue of whether concentrations of IFN-β1a close to those reached in the serum of treated MS patients could modulate either adhesion molecules or adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as fluid phase endocytosis (FPE) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and in brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC). Adhesion was assessed by flow cytometry, and FPE was evaluated by peroxidase uptake. In our study, 200 U/ml IFN-β1a induced a reduction in adhesion of PBMC to HUVEC. The information reported herein may contribute to further elucidating some of the mechanisms of action of IFN-β on vascular endothelium.