Vascular cell adhesion molecule and Intracellular adhesion molecules play vital role in stimulating immune response inside the host cell. Among this ICAM 1 is a cell surface glycoprotein that serves as a counter receptor for β2 integrin [6]. It belongs to leukocyte adhesion molecule subfamily of “immunoglobulin” superfamily. Previous studies, also demonstrates the involvement of ICAM 1 in host cell invasion and pathogenesis. It is also evidenced that mycobacteria form association with the host macrophage through complement receptors like CR3 which is in turn is associated with the ICAM. Monocyte derived macrophages when treated with live mycobacteria also demonstrates increased level in expression of ICAM 1 and also LFA 1 which suggests its vitality during host pathogenesis [4].

LFA is found in most of the immune cells like T cells and macrophages which is involved in their dissemination to the infected site. Reports have demonstrated its involvement in the adhesion as it binds to its counter receptors ICAM [7]. β2 integrin lymphocyte function associated antigen 1, which is not a phagocytic receptor plays a vital role in cellular adhesion and is a part of integrin family [8]. Studies demonstrate that it is involved in promigration of leukocyte cell and requires cytoskeleton [9].

Chemokines are basically cell signalling peptides play crucial role in regulation of cellular trafficking and equip tissue specific homing [10]. Previous studies demonstrate that during mycobacterial pathogenesis several chemokines like TNFα and chemoattractants are stimulated which further activates immune response [11]. Also it also further facilitates granuloma formation. The pattern recognition molecules like TLRs recognize Mycobacteria and so its pathogenesis which further elucidate a significant immune response. Production of chemokines and chemoattractants like TNF by macrophages is said to be initiated by adhesion molecules [12]. It have been also evidenced thst chemokines activates leukocytes during pathogenesis. As for examples Mycobacterial strain Rv0652 stimulates chemokines like TNF and MCP1 production which clearly elucidate their importance during host cell defence against this pathogenesis [13]. In arthritis it has been proved that antichemokines receptor targeting may be theraupetically used in future for arthritis treatment [14]. Potential role of chemokines and chemoattractants in mycobacterial pathogenesis is to be elucidated. A potential role use of chemokines as potent adjuvants in antimycobacterial immune response has been also described [15].

We can summarize that there are several intracellular moieties that get triggered as soon as the extracellular adhesion molecules facilitates mycobacterial entry into the host cell. Elucidating their functionality, signalling and their role in mycobacterial pathogenesis can discover new aspects in the field of tuberculosis therapeutics.

We thank Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale for making this work possible. The authors acknowledge financial support from GAP0092 and OLP1121 of the Department of Science and Technology and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research.