Vascular endothelium plays a key role in regulation of the inflammatory response. Adhesion molecules (selectins, immunoglobuline receptors, integrins, cadherins and connexins) expressed on the endothelial cells surface, take part in several interactions. In normal circumstances, they mediate endothelial cell-matrix interactions and regulate vascular permeability. During the process of inflammation the surface expression of adhesion molecules changes. Those receptors then participate in the interactions between leukocytes and activated endothelium surface, in the process of leukocyte activation and in their extravasation. Soluble forms of several adhesion molecules are released into the circulating blood. Plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules may be a diagnostic marker of the systemic endothelial injury.

        Key words: selectins, integrins, immunoglobulin adhesion molecules, cadherine receptors, soluble adhesion molecules