Moléculas de adesão.

Leukocyte adhesion and transmigration are regulated largely by the binding of complementary adhesion molecules on the leukocyte and endothelial surfaces, and chemical mediators affect these processes by modulating the surface expression or avidity of such adhesion molecules. The adhesion receptors involved belong to four molecular families – the selectins, the integrins, the immunoglobulin-superfamily, and mucin-like glycoproteins. The specific adhesion of cells to other cells or to extracellular matrices is a basic component of cell migration and recognition, and it underlies many biologic processes including tissue repair, and both immune and inflammatory responses