Neutrophil and endothelial cell interactions in sepsis - The role of adhesion molecules

Although adhesion molecules present on circulating neutrophils and endothel ial cells are essential for normal host defense, generalized activation of these molecules has been implicated in the inflammatory tissue injury occur ring during sepsis and septic shack. A review of both preclinical and clini cal studies suggests, however, that although these molecules mediate tissue injury related to a variety of microbial and host inflammatory mediators, their predominant role during sepsis with infection is a protective one.