Immune cell surface receptors and adhesion molecules

Immune cell surface receptors and adhesion molecules represent a broad and diverse class of proteins essential for the regulation of the immune system and the physical interaction between cells. These molecules, which include the Cluster of Differentiation (CD) antigens, integrins, selectins, and members of the immunoglobulin superfamily, mediate critical processes such as antigen recognition, signal transduction, and leukocyte trafficking to inflammatory sites (Janeway's Immunobiology, 2016; StatPearls, 2023). In clinical pathology, these proteins are frequently involved in the progression of cancer, where inhibitory receptors (checkpoints) are exploited by tumors to evade immune surveillance, and in autoimmune disorders, where aberrant adhesion leads to tissue damage (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2018). Therapeutic strategies targeting these molecules often utilize monoclonal antibodies or fusion proteins to either block inhibitory signals, as seen in cancer immunotherapy, or prevent leukocyte migration in chronic inflammatory conditions like multiple sclerosis (PubMed, 2022). Due to their fundamental role in systemic immunity, pharmacological modulation of these targets requires careful monitoring for immune-related adverse events and potential immunosuppression. This entry describes a functional category of proteins rather than a single, specific therapeutic target.

Other names

Cell surface antigensCluster of differentiation (CD) moleculesCell adhesion molecules (CAMs)Immune checkpointsLeukocyte surface markers

Therapeutic agents targeting these molecules generally function as monoclonal antibodies or decoy receptors that modulate immune activity by blocking inhibitory checkpoints, preventing leukocyte extravasation into tissues, or depleting specific immune cell populations (Janeway's Immunobiology, 2016; Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2018).