Adhesion molecules in liver transplantation.

Adhesion molecules play a central role in regulation of the immune response after liver allografting. This review gives an overview of the current knowledge of expression and induction of cell-cell, and cell-matrix adhesion molecules after liver transplantation. The current knowledge on the stepwise generation of tissue inflammation, the differential expression of adhesion molecules on liver endothelia, infiltrating leukocytes, and their induction by cytokines is summarized. New diagnostic options and possible therapeutic strategies by using monoclonal antibodies to adhesion molecules are described.