A new twist to the leukocyte adhesion cascade: intimate cooperation is key

Trends Immunol. 2005 Jan;26(1):9-12. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2004.11.012.

Abstract

Leukocyte migration from blood into lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues requires a highly orchestrated series of adhesive and signaling events. A network of adhesion molecules with overlapping functions mediate the capture, rolling and firm adhesion of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium. A new study adds a novel twist to this paradigm by demonstrating that two adhesion molecules, CD44 and VLA-4, must be physically associated with each other on activated T cells to mediate efficient rolling and firm adhesion.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / immunology
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / immunology
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / physiology
  • Integrin alpha4beta1 / immunology
  • Integrin alpha4beta1 / physiology
  • Leukocytes / immunology
  • Leukocytes / physiology*
  • Models, Biological

Substances

  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Integrin alpha4beta1