Las moléculas de adhesión y la respuesta inmune

Abstract

Adhesion molecules (AM) are involved in antigenic recognition and cell migration. These molecules determine the contact among several groups of cells and the relationship between some cells and the extracellular matrix. In addition, they act as direct activation signals upon various immunocompetent cells. According to their structure and functional characteristics they have been grouped in: lnmunoglobulin superfamily, integrins (very late antigens, leukointegrins and cytoadhesins) and selectins (E-selectins, P-selectins y L-selectins). Their mechanisms of action have Seen largel y studied in regard to the leukocyte migration process, which include: selectin-mediated margination; endothelial adhesion and chemotaxis involving integrins and in a less extent by the immunoglobulins superfamily members. The possibility exists that manipulation of important steps of these processes could be used in the future as therapeutic tools and basic research.