ABSTRACT
Adhesion molecules facilitate the cell-to-cell contact that is necessary for diverse biological processes such as differentiation and inflammation. Many adhesion molecules have been described; however, the majority can be classified into four groups: integrins, members of the immunoglobulin superfamily, selectins, and cadherins (Table 68.1). The first three groups are primarily involved in inflammatory responses, whereas cadherins mediate cell growth and differentiation. The cadherin group will be discussed briefly, but this review will focus on the integrins, selectins, and members of the immunoglobulin superfamily because anaesthetists frequently encounter patients with inflammatory conditions.
