Contribution of specific cell-adhesive glycoproteins to airway and alveolar inflammation and dysfunction

Using various animal models of toxic or antigenic-induced airway inflammation, we have demonstrated that adhesion molecules play an important role in the recruitment, retention, and site-specific activation of inflammatory cells within the airways. Furthermore, we have shown that cytokines may contribute to inflammatory responses in the airways by enhancing the expression of adhesion molecules on respiratory epithelial cells.