My findings have firmly established the role of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 in neutrophil recruitment into lung and have opened up unexpected directions in the role of chemokines in this process.

This volume updates information on the mechanisms involved between adhesion molecules and cytokines in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases, including asthma and chronic or acute inflammatory lung disease. Presentations focus on in vitro cell-to-cell interactions and their modulation, and particular emphasis is placed on clinical end-points. Development of animal models for inflammatory lung diseases is also discussed.

This state-of-the-art reference outlines current knowledge of the structure, transcriptional regulation, and binding characteristics of vascular and leukocyte adhesion molecules and their ligands delineating the nature of adhesion molecule interactions in lung morphogenesis and repair, tumor metastasis, and experimental models of inflammatory lung injury.

Summarizes the latest research in the field, with particular emphasis on molecular mechanisms involved in lymphocyte traffic, for scientists, clinicians, and students. Subjects include the role of homing to mucosal tissue, adhesion molecules, and chemokines in regulation of lymphocyte and leukocyte migration, roles of integrins in the interactions of lymphocytes with intestinal mucosa, lymphocyte trafficking through the central nervous system, and implications for tumor immunotherapy. Includes bandw drawings. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The microcirculation is highly responsive to, and a vital participant in, the inflammatory response. All segments of the microvasculature (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) exhibit characteristic phenotypic changes during inflammation that appear to be directed toward enhancing the delivery of inflammatory cells to the injured/infected tissue, isolating the region from healthy tissue and the systemic circulation, and setting the stage for tissue repair and regeneration. The best characterized responses of the microcirculation to inflammation include impaired vasomotor function, reduced capillary perfusion, adhesion of leukocytes and platelets, activation of the coagulation cascade, and enhanced thrombosis, increased vascular permeability, and an increase in the rate of proliferation of blood and lymphatic vessels. A variety of cells that normally circulate in blood (leukocytes, platelets) or reside within the vessel wall (endothelial cells, pericytes) or in the perivascular space (mast cells, macrophages) are activated in response to inflammation. The activation products and chemical mediators released from these cells act through different well-characterized signaling pathways to induce the phenotypic changes in microvessel function that accompany inflammation. Drugs that target a specific microvascular response to inflammation, such as leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion or angiogenesis, have shown promise in both the preclinical and clinical studies of inflammatory disease. Future research efforts in this area will likely identify new avenues for therapeutic intervention in inflammation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Historical Perspectives / Anatomical Considerations / Impaired Vasomotor Responses / Capillary Perfusion / Angiogenesis / Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Adhesion / Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions / Coagulation and Thrombosis / Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction / Epilogue / References

This reference discusses the role of chemokines in mediating leukocyte trafficking, angiogenesis, tumor cell metastasis, host defense, trauma-induced lung injury, and the progression of AIDS in the lung, and studies cytokines as natural agents for modulating diseases that affect the lung.

This volume gives a comprehensive overview on the most relevant leukocyte and endothelial adhesion molecules. The chapters are written by leaders in the field and focus on the biology, structure, function, and regulation of adhesion molecules. Currently approved adhesion molecule-based therapies are reviewed and an outlook for future approaches is also provided. The book is of interest to clinicians and scientists from immunology, physiology, cancer research, rheumatology, allergology, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, pulmonology and cardiology.