Molecular and cellular interactions mediating granulocyteaccumulation in vivo

Abstract

An inflammatory response, either beneficial in host defence ordetrimental resulting in an inflammatory disease, is associated with alterations in vascular tone and blood flow, enhanced vascular permeability to macromolecules and the extravasation of leucocytes from the vascular lumen into extravascular tissue. The adhesive interaction of granulocytes with venular endothelial cells is an essential step in the process of granulocyte accumulation at sites of inflammation in vivo. Recent advances made in. the field of chemokines and adhesion molecules have led to a better understanding of the molecular events mediating this important component of the inflammatory response. The defined molecular interactions that mediate and regulate these events, in the process of neutrophil accumulation, will be discussed in this article. Recently, the eosinophil has come into focus because of its prominence in allergic reactions. This cell will be discussed in comparison.