Lymphocyte homing to sites of inflammation

The identification by monoclonal antibodies and gene cloning of the major receptors, the integrins, selectins and endothelial adhesion molecules, involved in lymphocyte adhesion and migration has advanced our understanding of the molecular interactions between lymphocytes and endothelial cells in the past few years. These antibodies and soluble receptors are being applied as reagents for studying the in vivo expression of adhesion molecules, the importance of which in various types of inflammation is being recognized.