Leucocyte-endothelial adhesion molecules and their role in bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis

Leucocyte-endothelial adhesion molecules are involved in the initial stages of the recruitment and migration of inflammatory leucocytes from the circulation to sites of inflammation. There is accumulating evidence for their involvement in the pathophysiology of airway mucosal allergic inflammation, such as that found in asthma and rhinitis. The best characterized adhesion molecule families are the integrins, the immunoglobulin supergene family and the selectins. This review article describes some of the characteristics and properties of these families. We also discuss the situations in which these adhesion molecules might be involved in inflammatory airway diseases, and how evidence for this role might lead to future modes of therapy for these common conditions.