Role of leukocytes and leukocyte adhesion molecules in renal ischemic-reperfusion injury

Hamid Rabb, M.D.

Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, J. A. Haley VA Hospital & University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612

Received 12/07/95; Accepted 12/25/95; On-line 1/1/95

5. Summary

Leukocytes and leukocyte adhesion molecules such as CD18 and particularly ICAM-1 may be implicated in IRI. However the role of infiltrating leukocytes in renal IRI may not be as important as it is in other organs such as heart and gut. The results summarized in this manuscript raise questions as to what role different leukocyte adhesion molecules play in renal IRI. It is likely that the role of these molecules may be independent of their role in cell migration, and may be virtue of mediating cell activation and signalling. The development of improved blocking modalities such as humanized antibodies (56), peptides (57) and antisense oligonucleotides (58), plus the results from ongoing clinical human trials, should clarify the role(s) and the degree of importance of these pathways in renal IRI.