[Adhesion molecules and immune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system]

Expression of adhesion molecules in immune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system was reviewed. In multiple sclerosis and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), endothelial cells of active lesions increase expression of the adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and inflammatory cells including memory T cells and macrophages express high levels of adhesion molecules such as LFA-1, VLA-4. Astrocytes also express CD44, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin in response to cytokine stimuli. In EAE, the majority of infiltrating cells are not MBP-specific memory T cells, thus it is speculated that the up-regulation of the adhesion molecules in the endothelial cells plays a decisive role in the development of immune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system. Therapeutic potency of clinical usage of anti-adhesion molecule antibodies has been explored.