Leukocyte-endothelium adhesion molecules in atherosclerosis.

The genetic manipulation of mice has provided an invaluable tool for studying the molecular mechanism(s) involved in atherosclerotic lesion development and maturation. The use of these new animal models has demonstrated that leukocyte-endothelium adhesion receptors play a significant part in promoting monocyte recruitment and consequently lesion growth. The next phase of investigation should test whether the inhibition of these adhesion receptors can reproduce the powerful anti-atherosclerotic effects seen in the adhesion receptor-deficient mice.