Leukocyte adhesion

Abstract

Adhesion of leukocytes is a major event in the induction and effector phases of the immune response, as well as in inflammatory reactions. T-cell activation requires interaction with antigen-presenting cells (APC), B-cell activation needs cognate interaction with T-cells, while cytotoxic T cells strongly bind target cells. Migration of leukocytes into inflammatory areas is mediated by a crucial step of leukocyte binding to endothelial cells followed by trans-endothelial migration. Adhesion molecules mediating these various cell to cell interactions belong to three families, i.e. the immunoglobulin superfamily, integrins and selectins.