The role of adhesion molecules in the maintenance of persistent inflammatio
n in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is accepted, albeit i
ncompletely understood. The selectin family of adhesion molecules mediates
primary events in a complex cascade leading to the tissue localization and
activation of inflammatory cells in many diseases. Blockade of selectins re
presents a novel therapeutic approach to interrupt the inflammatory cycle b
y inhibiting the extravasation of leukocytes at the earliest opportunity in
the recruitment process.