Antioxidant regulation of cell adhesion.

Cell-cell and cell-matrix contacts are dependent on cell surface density, localization, and avidity state of surface-localized adhesion molecules. Cell adhesion represents a process that is centrally important in immune function and inflammation. This process is sensitive to various agonists including oxidants. Oxidants may directly as well as indirectly induce cell adhesion. In other cases, cytokines and related agents may induce cell adhesion by oxidant-dependent mechanisms. Various redox-sensitive sites in the signal transduction path leading to cell adhesion have been identified. Different chemical classes of nutritional antioxidants regulate cell adhesion by modulating specific signal transduction pathways. Numerous studies have confirmed that physical exercise influences the redox status of various cells and tissues. Recent evidences also show that physical exercise influences several cell adhesion related molecules. Whether such regulation has a redox component remains to be tested. Antioxidant supplementation studies testing the effect of exercise on cell adhesion should provide critical insight.