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Nonantigen specific adhesion systems lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1/intercellular adhesion molecule (LFA-1/ICAM-1) and cluster designation 2/lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3 (CD2/LFA-3) are considered a crucial step in immune-mediated cell-cell adhesion reactions. In particular, the LFA-1/ICAM-1 system is deeply involved in major histocompatibility system (MHC)-restricted and non-MHC-restricted cellular cytotoxicity of effector cells against cancer tissues. We have investigated in human thyroid carcinoma cell lines the role of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway on ICAM-1 expression. Incubation with tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), an agonist of PKC, of two papillary (NPA and TPC-1) and one anaplastic (ARO) carcinoma cell lines induced an ICAM-1 upregulation of both protein and mRNA production. This phenomenon was dependent on RNA and protein synthesis and was inhibited by PKC antagonists such as staurosporine and H-7. A parallel increase in the soluble form of ICAM-1 followed the upregulation of cellular ICAM-1 levels induced by TPA. In conclusion, the PKC pathway is involved in the regulation of ICAM-1 expression in human thyroid carcinoma cell lines. Further studies are necessary to clarify the effects of the PKC pathway on the diffusion of thyroid tumors.