Intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs)Link informatics for "Intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs)"See AlsoDescriptionIntercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) are molecules that promote adhesion between cells. Examples include adhesion from most white blood cells, related to their immunological response to wound or bacterial infection. During the acute stages of inflammation, homeostasis is altered, resulting in the cytokine stimulated release of ICAMs which promote leukocyte adherence to the endothelium. The CAMs are involved with leukocyte adhesion at relatively low shear forces and they cause a stronger attachment than selectin molecules. There are several different forms of ICAM. ICAM-1 is continuously present in low concentrations in the membranes of leukocytes and endothelial cells. Upon cytokine stimulation, the concentrations greatly increase. ICAM-1 can be induced by Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha and is expressed by the vascular endothelium, macrophages and lymphocytes. Adhesion antagonist by herbal medicines
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