title: Leukocyte CD11/CD18 integrins: biological and clinical relevance.
abstract: The integrin family consists of a series of related alpha beta heterodimers (subunits of 95,000-200,000 Mw) involved in a variety of cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion functions. Leukocyte adhesion has biological importance in numerous processes involving host defense. The CD11/CD18 integrins are differentiated antigens which play a critical role in this mechanism. CD11a/CD18 are apparent on early progenitors of all myeloid and erythroid cells. CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18 are more restricted antigens normally expressed on monocytes, macrophages, PMN and natural killer cells. Activated granulocytes and monocytes express far more CD11b/CD18 than the other two antigens: 6 to 8 x 10(5) CD11b/CD18 molecules appear on maximally activated granulocytes. These integrins and in particular the beta 2 subunit are lacking in a genetic disease. On the other hand, they are fundamental in numerous physiological processes and in various hematological and cardiovascular diseases. The biochemical characterization and behavior of the CD11/CD18 complex in various clinical conditions are the subject of this review.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Terapia Medica, Università di Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ricevuti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018845:CD11 Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016023:Integrins / Q000502:physiology*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000502:physiology; D018370:Leukocyte-Adhesion Deficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008024:Ligands; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011817:Rabbits; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018845:CD11 Antigens; D018821:CD18 Antigens; D016023:Integrins; D008024:Ligands; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1