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Adhesion Molecules in Atherosclerosis — ICAM-1 Adhesion Molecules Direct cell-cell interactions are maintained and regulated by cell adhesion molecules. The expression of adhesion molecules directs inflammatory responses (Walpola et al., 1994). Early adhesion molecules include P and E selectins which slow down leukocyte movements along the endothelium wall so adhesion molecules such as VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 can attach to the ligan …

Sepsis Infection and Inflammation The immune cells are in charge of produce a response against every pathogen that want to attack ours bodies. This response finish when the pathogen is dead and our system is save again. Nevertheless, in some cases the infection could be important and can be maintained over time, forcing our immune system to generate systemic and aggressive inflammatory mechanisms against them that also can affect our organism. This life-t …

Katherine Edwards, PhD Student, Queen’s University Belfast Cytokines play a vital role in immune responses enabling cross-talk between different cell types and inducing activation, differentiation, proliferation and cell migration by altering gene expression in target cell types. There are a wide variety of cytokines each with varying roles which when produced in different combinations can lead to various outcomes. Cytokines can promote inflammation and a …

By Charlotte O'Donnell PhD A role for IL-33 in Barrier Function and Epithelial Wound Healing IL-33 is constitutively expressed by cells involved in the maintenance of mechanical barriers, including keratinocytes, lung and gut epithelial cells, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells [1]. In these cells IL-33 is localized to the nucleus and mediates gene transcription. It is believed to maintain a quiescent state as it is on …

IL-8 Overview Interleukin-8 (IL-8), also known as CXCL8, was discovered over 30 years ago as a small molecule that could promote chemotaxis and induce the production of both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H202) (Schroder et al, 1987; Yoshimura et al, 1987). IL-8 is now recognised as a chemokine, which are small chemoattractant molecules that are secreted by cells of the immune system. Chemokines induce integrin expression and primarily attract leukocyt …