PECAM–1 (CD31)-gene expression is downregulated by TNF-α or Interferon (IFN-) but upregulated by TGF–1 in peripheral blood leukocytes

Introduction: Acute or chronic liver inflammations are characterized by a transmigration of inflammatory cells into the liver. CD–31 (PECAM–1) is an adhesion molecule considered as a marker of liver endothelial cells. It is expressed also on the surface of blood leukocytes and of tissue macrophages (e.g., Kupffer cells). Cells of the inflammatory infiltrate are PECAM–1-negative and loss of positivity is considered to be due to the interaction of the newly recruited cells with structures of the capillary wall within the “stressed” tissue. Methods and Materials: Changes of PECAM–1, ICAM–1 and VCAM–1 mRNA were stud…