ICAM-1 a ligand for LFA-1-dependent adhesion of B, T and myeloid cells

Expression of 7F7-antigen, a human adhesion molecule identical to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in human carcinomas and their stromal fibroblasts

The 7F7-antigen is a widespread 85-kDa membrane adherence molecule involved in heterotypic adhesion between PHA-blasts and fibroblasts. Immunofluorescence analysis of COS cells transfected with clone pICAM-I indicated that 7F7-antigen is identical with ICAM-I, the ligand for the contact molecule LFA-I. We have investigated the expression of ICAM-I on several human carcinomas. Tumor cells in most carcinomas, with the exception of squamous-cell carcinomas, expressed very little ICAM-I or none at all. In contrast, marked expression of this molecule was observed on fibrous tissue in the vicinity of carcinoma cells, its intensity correlating with lymphatic infiltration in these tumors. We also examined the expression of ICAM-I on carcinoma cell lines and its induction by treatment with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The inducibility of ICAM-I expression on cultured fibroblasts by several lymphokines suggests that the expression of ICAM-I in the vicinity of carcinoma cells is effected by lymphokines produced by activated lymphocytes/macrophages within the tumor.

Functional cloning of ICAM-2, a cell adhesion ligand for LFA-1 homologous to ICAM-1

The leukocyte adhesion molecule LFA-1 mediates a wide range of lymphocyte, monocyte, natural killer cell, and granulocyte interactions with other cells in immunity and inflammation. LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) is a receptor for intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1, CD54), a surface molecule which is constitutively expressed on some tissues and induced on other in inflammation. Induction of ICAM-1 on epithelial cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts mediates LFA-1-dependent adhesion of lymphocytes. Several lines of evidence have suggested the existence of a second LFA-1 ligand: homotypic adhesion of one cell line was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to LFA-1, but not by one to ICAM-1; there exists an LFA-1-dependent, ICAM-1-independent pathway of adhesion to endothelial cells; and also, there are some types of target cells in which LFA-1-dependent T-lymphocyte adhesion and lysis are independent of ICAM-1. We have cloned this second ligand, designated ICAM-2, using a novel method for identifying ligands of adhesion molecules. ICAM-2 is an integral membrane protein with two immunoglobulin-like domains, whereas ICAM-1 has five. Remarkably, ICAM-2 is much more closely related to the two most N-terminal domains of ICAM-1 (34% identity) than either ICAM-1 or ICAM-2 is to other members of the immunoglobulin superfamily, demonstrating the existence of a subfamily of immunoglobulin-like ligands that bind the same integrin receptor.

Epidermal keratinocytes express the adhesion molecule intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in inflammatory dermatoses

Using indirect immunofluorescence assays on frozen tissue sections of skin from healthy subjects and subjects with inflammatory skin diseases, we found that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was expressed in a cell surface pattern on epidermal keratinocytes at the site of lymphoid infiltration in cutaneous dermatoses. ICAM-1 was not expressed on epidermal keratinocytes in noninflamed skin. Its expression was not related solely to epidermal hyperproliferation, as hyperproliferative, tape-stripped epidermis did not express ICAM-1. We have reported previously that ICAM-1 expression on epidermal keratinocytes was upregulated by treatment with interferon gamma and that activated T lymphocytes bound to cultured epidermal keratinocytes in vitro by lymphocyte function associated-1 (LFA-1) molecules on T cells and ICAM-1 on epidermal keratinocytes. Taken together, these data suggest that upregulation of expression of ICAM-1 is an important feature of cutaneous inflammation.

A monoclonal antibody to LFA-3, the CD2 ligand, specifically immobilizes major histocompatibility complex proteins

T cells are activated when the antigen-specific T cell receptor recognizes antigen in association with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. The T cell surface protein CD2 (T11, LFA-2, the T erythrocyte receptor) and its target or stimulator cell ligand, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-3 (LFA-3), are also involved in T cell adhesion and activation. The molecular mechanisms by which the CD2/LFA-3 interaction affects T cell adhesion and activation are unclear. The CD2/LFA-3 interaction may be modeled by the interaction between LFA-3 and anti-LFA-3 monoclonal antibody (mAb). We used the fluorescence photobleaching recovery technique to investigate the effect of anti-LFA-3 mAb on the lateral mobility of MHC proteins in plasma membranes of JY, a human Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell line. Anti-LFA-3 mAb induced immobilization of class I MHC proteins labeled with bivalent but not monovalent fluorescein-conjugated W6/32 mAb. Anti-LFA-3 mAb also caused immobilization of class II MHC proteins labeled with bivalent fluoresceinated LB3.1 mAb. In contrast, anti-LFA-3 mAb did not affect the mobilities of either a B cell membrane protein labeled with bivalent fluoresceinated anti-CD45 (human leukocyte antigen) mAb or a membrane lipid analogue. Unlike anti-LFA-3 mAb, anti-LFA-1 mAb did not affect class I MHC protein mobility. These results suggest that CD2 binding to LFA-3 may trigger a physiological response in which target cell MHC proteins, cross-linked by receptors on the T cell surface, are immobilized at and thereby localized to the T cell-target cell interface.

Human tonsillar dendritic cell-induced T cell responses: analysis of molecular mechanisms using monoclonal antibodies

Dendritic cells, isolated from human tonsillar tissue, were found to be potent stimulators of the sodium periodate T cell oxidative mitogenesis reaction. Monoclonal antibodies against CD2, CD4, CD11a, CD18, LFA-3, ICAM-1, class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) inhibited T cell proliferation in this response, whereas antibodies against CD8, CD11b, CD11c and CD16 had no effect. Further, antibodies against CD2, CD11a, CD18, LFA-3 and ICAM-1 inhibited the early dendritic cell-T cell clustering event which occurs in this cell interaction. In contrast, antibodies against CD4, class I and class II MHC did not inhibit clustering. Studies examining the expression of the respective molecules upon isolated dendritic cells and T cells suggest that anti-LFA-3 and anti-class II MHC antibodies inhibit at the level of the dendritic cell, whereas anti-CD2 and anti-CD4 antibodies inhibit at the level of the T cell. However, antibodies against CD11a, CD18, ICAM-1 and class I MHC may inhibit at either or both cell levels. These findings have enabled us to propose a molecular mechanism for dendritic cell-T cell interaction in oxidative mitogenesis. Dendritic cell-T cell clustering is mediated by bidirectional binding of LFA-1 (CD11a and CD18) and ICAM-1 (involving both molecules on both cell types) and unidirectional binding of CD2 and LFA-3 (involving T cell CD2 and dendritic cell LFA-3). This initial event permits a second interaction of dendritic cell and T cell molecules, involving T cell CD4, class I MHC (possibly at both cellular levels) and dendritic cell class II MHC, which deliver the signal for proliferation.

Mechanisms of human lymphocyte migration and their role in the pathogenesis of disease

Lymphocyte recirculation is an essential component of the functional immune system, providing a means for constant surveillance of the organism's tissues by immunocompetent cells and, moreover, facilitating interactions between different cell types engaged in the immune response. Adhesive interactions between recirculating lymphocytes and the wall of high endothelial venules (HEV) are thought to play a central role in this process. These interactions are mediated by lymphocyte homing receptors expressed on the lymphocyte cell surface which recognize tissue-specific molecules on the endothelium. Moreover, LFA-1 is also involved in the regulation of lymphocyte traffic. In addition, recent evidence indicating that these mechanisms may also play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is discussed.

Induction of an activation antigen on human endothelial cells in vitro

This study describes the expression characteristics of a cell membrane protein recognized by a monoclonal antibody ENA1, which was obtained by immunizing mice with human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells cultured with a mixture of interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The expression of this ENA1 antigen could also be induced by lipopolysaccharide and phorbol esters. Expression was only demonstrated on HUVE cells and human umbilical arterial endothelial cells, pretreated with one or with a mixture of these reagents. No expression was detected on human fibroblasts, renal epithelial cells or on mesothelial cells derived from omental tissue, either pretreated or not with the aforementioned inducers of the antigen. Furthermore, no reactivity was observed with either polymorphonuclear cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes or the monocytic cell line U937. Time course experiments revealed that the expression of the ENA1 antigen was time dependent. Maximal expression on HUVE cells was observed after 5 h of incubation with activator, after which a decline in expression occurred. Induction of expression could be completely blocked by the mRNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, indicating that de novo synthesis occurs. Other pharmacological reagents tested had no effect on the induction of ENA1 expression. The putative role of the newly described antigen is discussed in relation to the current knowledge of molecules involved in adhesion of immune cells in inflammatory processes.

A cell adhesion molecule, ICAM-1, is the major surface receptor for rhinoviruses

Rhinoviruses, which cause common colds, possess over 100 serotypes, 90% of which (the major group) share a single receptor. Lymphocyte function associated molecule 1 (LFA-1) mediates leukocyte adhesion to a wide variety of cell types by binding to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). We demonstrate identity between the receptor for the major group of rhinoviruses and ICAM-1. A major group rhinovirus binds specifically to purified ICAM-1 and to ICAM-1 expressed on transfected COS cells, and binding is blocked by three ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies (MAb) that block ICAM-1-LFA-1 interaction, but not by an ICAM-1 MAb that does not block ICAM-1-LFA-1 interaction. This suggests that the ICAM-1 contact site(s) for LFA-1 and rhinoviruses is proximal or identical. In addition, ICAM-1 MAb block the cytopathic effect in HeLa cells mediated by representative major but not minor group rhinoviruses. ICAM-1 is induced by soluble mediators of inflammation, suggesting that the host immune response to rhinovirus may facilitate spread to uninfected cells.

Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor induced changes in cellular adhesion molecule expression and adhesion to endothelium: in-vitro and in-vivo studies in man

The administration of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) causes a transient leucopenia. Radionuclide labelling studies showed this to be due to margination of neutrophils and monocytes predominantly in the pulmonary vasculature. No evidence of complement activation was found. A rapid in-vivo rise in neutrophil cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) expression was observed paralleling the development of the neutropenia. Neutrophils exposed to rhGM-CSF in-vitro showed similar rapid increases in CAM expression. The adherence of chromium-labelled neutrophils to endothelial cell cultures was modestly but highly significantly increased by rhGM-CSF, an effect that was reduced by the binding of a monoclonal antibody to the beta chain of neutrophil CAM. The margination of phagocytic cells induced by rhGM-CSF administration is therefore likely to be due at least in part to increased expression of adhesion promoting glycoproteins. The demargination, however, occurred at a time when neutrophil CAM expression was still high, suggesting that dissociation of the neutrophil-endothelial cell interaction depends on factors other than downregulation of CAM expression. In-vivo modulation of phagocyte CAMS and adhesive properties by GM-CSF may be of importance in the normal inflammatory response.

The relationship between the distribution of lymphoid cells in the skin and in vitro adhesion to connective tissue

An in vitro assay was used to test whether the patterns of lymphocyte distribution in the mouse skin could be explained by adhesion of lymphoid cells to connective tissue. Using normal skin as a substrate, in vitro adhesion was significantly greater below the panniculus carnosus muscle: when oxazolone sensitized skin was used, binding was seen throughout the skin. This correlated closely with the patterns seen in vivo following injection of lymphocytes into normal skin or sensitization with oxazolone. Adhesion was not affected by divalent cation chelating agents, but was reduced in the presence of some monosaccharides. The property of skin adhesion did not appear to be confined to a small number of cells in the spleen cell preparation. Although only a small proportion of the starting population adhered to the section, transfer of the non-adherent cells to a fresh skin section produced a similar degree of adhesion. It is suggested that the variable binding of lymphoid cells by skin connective tissue may be an important factor in determining the retention of cells which have emigrated into the skin from the blood vessels and may explain the distinctive patterns of distribution of lymphocytes in cutaneous inflammatory disorders.

De novo expression of intercellular-adhesion molecule 1 in melanoma correlates with increased risk of metastasis

The 89-kDa cell surface glycoprotein, P3.58, is detectable on advanced human melanomas in situ but not on benign melanocytes or early melanomas. cDNA cloning of P3.58 from melanoma cells was accomplished by screening a lambda zap expression vector library with monoclonal antibodies produced against the denatured antigen. Nucleotide sequencing of the clones revealed that P3.58 is identical to the intercellular-adhesion molecule 1. No qualitative differences in P3.58 mRNA species could be seen between melanoma cells and hematopoietic cells and no differences in gene organization were observed between peripheral blood leukocytes and melanoma cells. Inspection of the deduced amino acid sequence of P3.58 indicated the presence of the consensus sequence characteristic for complement-binding proteins. The acquisition of this cell-adhesion molecule during the process of tumor progression is speculated to contribute to the development of metastasis in melanoma.

The cellular immunotherapy of cancer: current and potential uses of interleukin-2

The potential for immune-mediated destruction of neoplasms was suggested nearly one century ago. Despite this, no "magic bullet" has yet been identified. Nevertheless, the physiology of cell-mediated immune reactions has been well characterized in molecular, cellular, and clinical studies of allograft and microbial immunity. Extensive studies performed in laboratory animal models have documented the in vitro and in vivo destruction of various neoplastic tissues by immune cells. This destruction can be directed against autologous, syngeneic, or allogeneic tumors in several systems with varying degrees of "tumor specificity". Two approaches exist towards utilizing these immune reaction in vivo. The first involves providing the tumor bearer with immunostimulatory agents, either specific or nonspecific, designed to activate and amplify the destructive potential of the individual's endogenous immune cells able to recognize and destroy autologous tumor. The second approach provides immune cells with antitumor capacity to a tumor-bearing individual, these cells having been activated exogenously. A number of successful regimens involving these two approaches, and combinations of them, have been delineated in animal tumor models. These experimental studies lay a strong foundation for initiating clinical trials of these concepts for patients with cancer. This review summarizes the diverse experimental studies in animals leading to clinical trials, presents recent data from ongoing clinical trials directly testing the potential for cellular immunotherapy, and then presents some of the major challenges facing further development and application of this potential therapeutic approach.

Epstein-Barr virus latent infection membrane protein alters the human B-lymphocyte phenotype: deletion of the amino terminus abolishes activity

A latent infection membrane protein (LMP) encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome in latently infected, growth-transformed lymphocytes alters the phenotype of a human EBV-negative B-lymphoma cell line (Louckes) when introduced by gene transfer. These LMP-expressing cells exhibit increased homotypic adhesion due to increased expression of the adhesion molecules LFA-1 and ICAM-1. Increased homotypic adhesion could foster B-cell growth by facilitating autocrine growth factor effects. LFA-3 expression is also induced. The induction of LFA-3 and ICAM-1 results in increased heterotypic adhesion to T lymphocytes. This could result in more effective T-cell immune surveillance. Since LMP is expressed in EBV-transformed lymphocytes and has been demonstrated to transform rodent fibroblasts in vitro, a wide range of possible effects on B-lymphoma cell growth were assayed. In the Louckes B-lymphoma cell line, EBV LMP causes increased cell size, acid production, plasma membrane ruffling, and villous projections. Although cell proliferation rate was not greatly affected, the steady-state intracellular free calcium level, transforming growth factor beta responsiveness, and expression of the lymphocyte activation markers (CD23 and transferrin receptor) were increased. Thus, LMP appears to be a mediator of EBV effects on B-cell transformation. In transfected lymphoma cells, LMP localizes to patches at the cell periphery and associates with the cytoskeleton as it does in EBV-transformed B lymphocytes or in rodent fibroblasts. A partially deleted form of LMP (D1LMP) does not aggregate in patches or associate with the cytoskeleton and had little effect on B-cell growth. Thus, cytoskeletal association may be integral to LMP activity.

Recognition of an endothelial determinant for CD 18-dependent human neutrophil adherence and transendothelial migration

Human neutrophil (PMN) attachment to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was evaluated in vitro using two MAbs, R6-5-D6 and RR1/1, that recognize intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and one MAb, TS1/18, that recognizes CD18. Pretreatment of the HUVEC with anti-ICAM-1 MAbs produced greater than 50% inhibition of attachment to HUVEC, and IL-1 (0.5 U/ml)- or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 ng/ml)-stimulated HUVEC, and greater than 99% inhibition of f-Met-Leu-Phe (0.5 nM) enhanced adherence. Anti-ICAM-1 MAbs also inhibited by greater than 85% the transendothelial migration induced by 4-h IL-1 (0.5 U/ml) and LPS (10 ng/ml) activation of the HUVEC. That these effects involved a CD18-dependent mechanism is supported by the following results: pretreatment of PMN with TS1/18 produced the same degree of inhibition of attachment and migration as seen with R6-5-D6. In addition, the use of both MAbs together did not further increase the inhibition of cell attachment to stimulated HUVEC. The attachment of PMN from patients with CD18 deficiency to stimulated HUVEC was not reduced by R6-5-D6, and both R6-5-D6 and TS1/18 revealed the same time course for appearance and disappearance of an adherence component on stimulated HUVEC not blocked by either MAb. These results demonstrate that attachment and transendothelial migration of PMN in vitro depend substantially on both CD18 on the PMN and ICAM-1 on the endothelial cell.

Importance of an 85 kDa membrane glycoprotein for a variety of cell-cell interactions

The membrane molecule termed "7F7-antigen" has been found to be involved in several examples of cell-cell interactions. This 85 kDa glycoprotein with a protein core of about 55 kDa contains N-linked and O-linked carbohydrates. It has an isoelectric point of 8.0-8.5 and is expressed on 20% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, 35% of peripheral blood B-cells, follicular dendritic cells and vascular endothelium. It is also expressed on activated T-cells and its expression on B-cells, fibroblasts and monocytes increases after treatment with PWM, interferon-gamma and after three days culture, respectively. The MAb 7F7 used to define this antigen inhibits the initiation of T-cell proliferation induced by anti-CD3, PHA, ConA and (weakly) allogenic stimulator cells, but does not affect the growth of IL-2 dependent T-cells and does not interfere with the killing of PHA-blasts by allogenic IL-2 dependent T-cells. 7F7 also inhibits the binding of C3-coated sheep erythrocytes to B-cells, the PMA-induced aggregation of U937 and the binding of activated T-cells to fibroblasts. The 7F7-antigen is expressed on some non-Hodgkin lymphomas of B-cell differentiation, particularly those with follicular structure, but not on Burkitt's lymphoma, ALL or carcinomas of various tissues. It is, however, found on fibrous tissue surrounding infiltrating carcinoma cells. The expression of a melanoma antigen, P3.58, which was shown to be identical to 7F7-antigen correlates with stage and spread of invasive melanoma. It was concluded that the 7F7-antigen, which is probably related to a previously described adherence molecule (ICAM-1), is of biological importance for the initiation of T-cell responses. With the possible exception of melanoma its expression on neoplastic cells in vivo is unlikely to be of importance for the spread of malignant disease.

Immunological mapping of the human leucocyte adhesion glycoprotein gp90 (CD18) by monoclonal antibodies

The leucocyte surface glycoproteins CD11a (gp160, LFA-1 antigen, TA-1 antigen), CD11b (gp155, Mac-1 antigen, OKM1 antigen, Mo-1 antigen), CD11c (gp130, Leu-M5 antigen), and CD18 (gp90) constitute three heterodimers with different alpha chains and a common beta chain. Monoclonal antibodies to CD11a, b, or c block adhesion of certain types of leucocytes only, while several antibodies to CD18 inhibit adhesion in all of them. The functionally important site or sites on CD18 are not known. We have now isolated the CD11a,b,c-CD18 leucocyte antigen complex in large amounts from human leucocytes, and produced several new monoclonal antibodies reacting with CD18. One of these antibodies, like those described earlier, inhibits leucocyte adhesion, whereas the others do not. By means of competition experiments, at least four epitope regions were found. These antibodies should be valuable in elucidating the regions essential in CD18-mediated leucocyte functions.

The role of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) in the adherence of T lymphocytes to B lymphocytes

The functional role of the LFA-1 molecule in the interaction between helper T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes was investigated using lymphocytes from patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency, an inherited immunodeficiency characterized by a defective leukocyte expression of the LFA-1, Mac-1 (CR3) and p150,95 molecules. The ability of LFA-1- T lymphocytes to provide antigen-specific help for HLA-identical LFA-1+ B lymphocytes was reduced while their antigen-specific activation was normal. Antigen-independent conjugate formation between resting, nonactivated LFA-1- T lymphocytes and LFA-1+ B lymphocytes was impaired while LFA-1- B lymphocytes bound LFA-1+ T lymphocytes normally. Conjugate formation of activated LFA-1- T lymphocytes was mostly mediated by the CD2-LFA-3 adhesion pathway while the ICAM-1 molecule, a ligand of LFA-1, had no function. These results demonstrate that LFA-1 plays a major role in the cognate interaction between helper T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes that cannot be mediated instead by CD2 or other molecules on resting T lymphocytes.

Regulatory properties of LFA-1 alpha and beta chains in human T-lymphocyte activation

Lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) is a heterodimer composed of an alpha and beta chain that is expressed on the surface of most leukocytes and is an essential molecule for adhesion reactions between cells participating in the immune response. A putative ligand for LFA-1 is the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 (refs 3-5). Leukocyte adhesion abnormality is found in patients with LFA-1 deficiency. It is not clear whether binding of ligand to the LFA-1 molecule merely spatially orientates cells towards each other or can also induce signals that regulate cell activation and differentiation. We have recently developed a T-cell proliferation assay which uses immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies as stimulant and is independent of LFA-1-mediated cellular adhesion. As there is no interference by anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibodies with the adhesion-dependent activation steps, this T-cell activation system allows us to investigate whether transmembrane signals are induced by binding of ligand to LFA-1 on T cells. Our data indicate that binding of ligand to LFA-1 results in the transduction of regulatory signal across the plasma membrane, rather like other molecules (CD2, CD4, CD8) (refs 8-11) with signal-modifying properties involved in the adhesion of T cells to target/stimulator cells. Indeed, adhesion molecules might generally be important in signal transduction, even in cells not belonging to the immune system.

Functional evidence that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a ligand for LFA-1-dependent adhesion in T cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Although intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) has been implicated as a ligand in some LFA-1-dependent adhesion, its importance to T cell function has not been established. The present studies investigate the importance of ICAM-1 for human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), both in their formation of antigen-independent conjugates (AIC) and in their lysis of targets. Analysis of monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibition of AIC formation indicate that ICAM-1 mAb 1 blocks (a) AIC formation with some but not all targets; (b) the LFA-1 pathway but not the CD2/LFA-3 pathway of adhesion; (c) by binding to the target cell, not the T cell. In studies of cell-mediated lysis (CML) ICAM-1 mAb inhibited lysis of some targets, such as U-937, that use ICAM-1 predominantly in AIC formation; CML on some other targets is not inhibited by ICAM-1 mAb. These data indicate that ICAM-1 is a ligand for AIC formation, antigen-specific CTL recognition and cytolysis of particular target cells. The data also indicate that ICAM-1 is not used in LFA-1-dependent CTL interactions with all kinds of target cells, suggesting the existence of alternative ligands for LFA-1.

Primary structure of ICAM-1 demonstrates interaction between members of the immunoglobulin and integrin supergene families

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is a 90 kd inducible surface glycoprotein that promotes adhesion in immunological and inflammatory reactions. ICAM-1 is a ligand of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), an alpha beta complex that is a member of the integrin family of cell-cell and cell-matrix receptors. ICAM-1 is encoded by an inducible 3.3 kb mRNA. The amino acid sequence specifies an integral membrane protein with an extracellular domain of 453 residues containing five immunoglobulin-like domains. Highest homology is found with neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), which also contain five Ig-like domains. NCAM and MAG are nervous system adhesion molecules, but unlike ICAM-1, NCAM is homophilic. The ICAM-1 and LFA-1 interaction is heterophilic and unusual in that it is between members of the immunoglobulin and intergrin families. Unlike other integrin ligands, ICAM-1 does not contain an RGD sequence.