**2.2. Adhesion molecules connected podocytes with basement membrane**

**Integrin α3 and integrin β3** are particularly recommended biomarkers for monitoring the function of transplanted kidney both at early and remote period after transplantation. The integrin family of cell adhesion proteins promotes the attachment and migration of cells on the surrounding extra cellular matrix (ECM). The signals initiated by integrin binding to ECM proteins are necessary to maintain cell survival, adhesion, migration and invasion. Integrins are transmembrane glycoproteins consisting of two units: α and β. Beta1 family of integrins represents the major class of cell substrate receptors with specificities primarily for collagens, laminins, and fibronectins (Srivastava et al., 2011).

**Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), sVCAM-1 (CD106) (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) and anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)** The ICAM and VCAM – members of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, are the chief endothelial cell proteins that are recognized by the white cell integrins. Elevated urinary sVCAM-1, IL6, sIL6R and TNFR1 concentrations indicate an acute kidney transplant rejection in the first 2 weeks after transplantation (Reinhold et al., 2012). It was reported that increased urinary concentra‐ tions of sICAM-1, determined by ELISA, occured in patients with acute renal graft rejection (Teppo et al., 2001), and in people with proteinuria, high concentrations of sVCAM and sICAM were observed (van Ree et al., 2008). Recently a non-invasive monitoring of the acute renal graft rejection by determination of cell adhesion molecules has been recommended (Gwinner, 2007).
