LEUKOCYTE AND ENDOTHELIAL ADHESION MOLECULES IN ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION INJURIES

Tissue ischaemia and/or reperfusion cause some of the injury seen in several clinical disorders and are responsible for considerable mortality and morbidity in humans. Part of the injury occurring after reperfusion of ischaemic tissue is the result of interactions between leukocytes adhering to vascular endothelium. Blocking the function of the leukocyte adhesion beta(2) integrin complex (CD11/CD18) leads to improved outcome following ischaemia and reperfusion. Functional blockade of either P-selectin or L-selectin can also lead to improved outcome. beta(2) integrin blockade prevents firm leukocyte-endothelial adherence, whereas blocking P-selectin or L-selectin prevents leukocyte rolling. Blocking leukocyte adherence at one of several levels may provide improved outcome in a variety of diseases associated with ischaemia and reperfusion.