Adhesion molecules play an important role during leukocyte emgration from blood vessels.
Furthermore, adhesion molecules are involved in the regulation of the immune system.
In addition to membrane-bound adhesion molecules soluble forms have been detected
in human serum. During the last few years we have analysed the role of adhesion molecules
during the pathogenesis of type I diabetes. This review describes the results of studies
on membrane-bound and soluble adhesion molecules in humans and the model of the NOD
mouse. Based on these results different adhesion molecule-specific immunotherapies
are presented for the prevention of type 1 diabetes and its preclinical stages.
Soluble ICAM-1 - IDDM - Chronic Inflammation
