Role of changes in the vascular endothelium in chronic inflammation

The recruitment and activation of lymphoid effector cells into grafted tissue is central to the chronic rejection process. The endothelial cells lining inflamed vessels appear to be important in initiating and perpetuating these events through their expression of adhesion proteins for circulating leukocytes, as well as through their production of cytokines and chemokines to attract leukocytes into the inflamed tissues and to activate effector functions. Described here is our current understanding of the role of the vascular endothelium in leukocyte recruitment into inflamed tissues. A model of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions is outlined.