[Allergic inflammation--participation and role of adhesion molecules]

Adhesion molecules (AMs) are one of the main research areas in biology, cytology and medicine. During last years a great number of AMs was discovered and employed in several mechanisms, including inflammation. Bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis are considered as inflammatory disorders. Based on both in vitro and in vivo studies several mechanisms of selective recruitment eosinophils and basophils through AMs have been developed. Moreover, cytocines, biological peptides and other mediators play role in expression and function of adhesion molecules. Although several aspects of these processes still remains unclear, in vivo data (from animal and human experiments) document the existing of some of these mechanisms. Additional studies, including the use of adhesion molecule antagonists, will clarify the importance of leukocyte adhesion in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases. This review article describes characteristics, properties, regulation of expression and the role of leukocyte-endothelial adhesion molecules in pathogenesis of allergic diseases.