[Leukocyte adhesion molecules and their abnormality]

A brief commentary on leukocyte adhesion molecules, including integrin family, immunoglobulin superfamily and selectin or LEC-CAM family is made. A recent concept on the molecular mechanisms of the leukocyte adhesion to cell surface is also described. An immunodeficiency disease called "leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD)" that is defective in expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules of integrin family, LFA-1, Mac-1 and p150, 95, is discussed with special reference to its clinical features, laboratory findings, neutrophil functions, lymphocyte functions and molecular defects. Some abnormal expression of a Fc-gamma receptor in neutrophils and new data concerning the molecular defects found in Japanese patients are also included.