TEST OF ENDOTHELIAL MONOLAYER INTEGRITY IN THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ENDOTOXIN AND ANTI-TNF-a MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES

Abstract

Monolayer cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were established and tested for the effects of endotoxin treatment and anti-TNF-Q' monoclonal antibodies following endotoxin treatment on albumin pemleability and electrical conductance. Application of 40 J,tg(ml)-l of endotoxin on human umbilical cord endothelial cell culture monolayer increased transendothelial albumin penneability significantly (P < 0.001) and decreased transendothelial electrical resistances signiticantly (P < 0.001). When 10 J,tg(ml)-I of anti-TNF-Q' monoclonal antibodies was added after endotoxin, the effects of the latter on
albumin pemleability and electrical resistance were significantly decreased (P<O.OOl). This suggested that the monolayer sheet can be disturbed by endotoxin-induced TNF-Q' from endothelial cells. TNI'-Q' can disintegrate the endothelial cell monolayer during septicemia. This can be abrogated using antiTNF- Q' monoclonal antibodies.