[Adhesion molecules in leukocyte and endothelium interactions]

Abstract

The subject of this survey are the leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions, which modulate leukocyte migration and vascular permeability. Understanding of the interaction processes play an important role in insights into the mechanisms of vascular injury. Adhesion molecules (ADM) of blood elements and endothelial cells are important in the leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration. Adhesion structures are divided into three major categories: selectins, integrins and members of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The bidirectional interactions between leukocytes and endothelial cells are influenced by cytokines. These protein mediators induce changes in the expression of adhesion receptor and may regulate the number and type of leukocytes that migrate from the blood into the inflamed tissues. Von Willebrand factor (vWf) is a suitable marker of endothelial cell injury, as a specific product of the endothelium. The role of vWf in the adhesion process is to form a molecular bridge between the platelet and the subendothelium of an injured vessel wall. ADM that participate in the immune reactions, represent a target of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of inflammatory and other diseases. (Fig. 1, Tab. 1, Ref. 43.)