ADHESION MOLECULES IN ASTHMA AND ALLERGY

Adhesion molecules play a pivotal role in allergic disease and asthma. Cellular recruitment to areas of allergic inflammation includes a coordinated cascade of events involving the activation of a variety of cells, the release of soluble mediators, and the expression of cell surface adhesion molecules. This article reviews the families of adhesion molecules followed by a discussion of the roles and function of adhesion molecules in asthma and allergic disease.