Figure 1.

Cellular adhesion is required for T-cell function in the skin. To extend immune protection to peripheral tissues, T cells must actively leave circulation, migrate through interstitial spaces, interact with other cells, and eventually return to circulation by lymphatic vessels. Each of these processes is dependent on adhesive interactions between T cells and other cells or between T cells and the extracellular matrix. Expression patterns of adhesion molecules temporally and spatially regulate T-cell dynamics by selectively assisting specific movements. Only those T cells expressing the correct collection of adhesion receptors will be able to traverse the tissue environment. Inflammation controls T-cell access to the tissue by modulating this adhesion molecule signature.