Cellular migration cell adhesion molecules

Chemokines, a superfamily of small (8 to 14 kd) chemoattractant cytokines, were originally identified by their capacity to mediate gradient-dependent cell migration, accompanied by Ca2+ flux, in vitro. Sequence homology of mammal, bird, and fish chemokines indicates that this family of proteins is highly conserved throughout evolution. Chemokines are multifunctional molecules with a vast repertoire of specialized functions in different organs. Broadly, chemokine actions are associated with cell adhesion, cytokine secretion, cellular... 

The integrins comprise a family of cell-surface proteins that are involved in adhesion, a process vital for many processes, such as anchorage, migration, growth and differentiation. Cells may adhere to other cells (cell-cell adhesion) or may interact with soluble molecules that constitute the extracellular matrix (cell-extracellular matrix). The integrins are linked to elements of the cytoskeleton, and so they provide a bridge between the external cellular environment and intracellular activation processes. 

These processes depend on chemotactic activation of the effector cells and altered cellular migration to promote an allergic reaction. During these events, there is also an upregulation of the adhesion molecules, both on the effector cells and on high endothelial venules in blood vessels, lungs and other tissues. 

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