Road signs guiding leukocytes along the inflammation superhighway

Abstract

The term inflammation is used to describe the localized tissue changes, including leukocyte extravasation, that occur as part of the response to tissue damage, infection, or other immunologic responses. This carefully orchestrated series of events requires the existence of highly specific, regulated mechanisms for control of leukocyte recruitment and is dependent on both the inciting event and organ involved. This review summarizes recent developments in our understanding of how adhesion molecules and chemokines interact to facilitate tissue-specific and leukocyte subtype-specific influx during inflammation. Novel mechanisms believed to be responsible for capture and compartmentalization of B and T lymphocytes within lymph nodes are discussed, along with a description of adhesion molecule- and chemokine-mediated pathways that are believed to be involved in selective recruitment of lymphocytes and eosinophils to a variety of tissues, including the skin, gut, and lung. This growing knowledge and its potential importance provide enthusiasm for future anti-inflammatory therapies that target these recruitment pathways.