Role of adhesion molecules in neutrophil-mediated inflammation / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Adhesion molecules are involved in neutrophil-mediated inflammation. Neutropil adhesion to endothelial cell mediated by cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) is the first and critical step during the process of inflammation. Three families of CAMs play a central role in neutrophil-endothe-lial cell interactions the selectins, the integrins, and the immunoglobulin superfamily. These different types of CAMs interact in a programmed, sequential manner to form neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion cascade. The initial phase of inflammation, neulrophil slowing and rolling, is mediated by selectins; subsequently, firm adhesion of neu-trophils to vessel endothelial cells occurs via binding of the activated integrins and the endothelial receptors such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1); Then, neutrophils transmigrate into the tissues, this process requires chemotactic factors, integrins and PEC AM-1. Because of the important role of CAMs in the process of inflammation. Agents may be used to block the function of CAMs as a strategy of antiinflammatory therapy.