Adhesion-promoting receptors on phagocytes

Abstract

In order for leukocytes to migrate to sites of inflammation they must first adhere to the vascular endothelium. This initial adhesion, however, must be rapidly broken to allow diapedesis. Recent studies have shown that the CD18 family of leukocyte integrins plays a pivotal role in the transient adhesions needed for diapedesis. The means by which CD18 molecules mediate transient adhesion and the respective roles of CD18 molecules and other adhesion molecules in inflammation are discussed.