Lymphocyte Homing

Abstract

There is tight interplay between innate immune cells and the vascular system. Endothelial cells mediate immune cell recruitment to extravascular tissues by expressing a repertoire of leukocyte adhesion molecules. TNF-α and IL-1 increase the expression of E-selectin and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (V-CAM-1) on endothelial cells, promoting leukocyte adhesion and homing to sites of inflammation (Balkwill 2002). The attachment of lymphocytes to the endothelium is mediated by several homing receptors and other cell adhesion molecules on the lymphocytes and their corresponfing ligands on endothelial cells (Table 4.1).