SummaryTwo classes of adhesion molecules have well-defined roles in the attachment of unstimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to cytokine-treated endothelial cells. Endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1(ELAM-1) on endothelial cells interacts with specific carbohydrate residues on the PMN, and the leukocyte integrins (CD18 antigens) on PMN interact with intracellular adhesion molecule 1 and other structures on endothelium . Here we show that these two classes of molecules can act sequentially in an "adhesion cascade". Interaction of PMN with SLAM-1-bearing endothelial cells causes PMN to express enhanced adhesive activity of the integrin CR3 (CD11b/CD18) . Expression of ELAM-1 on the cytokine-treated endothelium appears both necessary and sufficient for the stimulation of CR3 activity since blockade of ELAM-1 with mAbs prevents the activation of CR3 by cytokine-treated endothelium, and immobilized recombinant ELAM-1 activates CR3 . The ability to activate CR3 is shared by chemattractants, suggesting that ELAM-1 may serve as a "tethered chemattractants" This hypothesis is strengthened by the observation that recombinant soluble ELAM-1 directs movement of PMN in chemotaxis chambers. These results suggest a mechanism by which multiple adhesive molecules may function together in diapedesis. ELAM-1 serves both as an adhesin and as a trigger that recruits the participation of additional adhesion molecules. Our results also suggest that ligands for adhesion molecules may also be "receptors" capable of generating intracellular signals.

We found that erythema is a poor indicator of alterations in epidermal APCs and that dose fractionation is an important parameter in the immunological effects of ultraviolet radiation.