Adhesion molecules and cytokines are important in chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by virtue of their role in cell activation and emigration. Using immunohistochemical techniques we studied the expression of adhesion molecules and cytokines in cryopreserved sections of murine knee joint in the course of antigen-induced arthritis, an animal model of human RA. Various adhesion molecules and cytokines are expressed in the arthritic joint tissue. LFA-1, Mac-1, CD44, ICAM-1 and P-selectin were strongly expressed in the acute phase and to a lesser degree in the chronic phase of arthritis. VLA-4 and VCAM-1 appeared to be moderately expressed on day 1, L-selectin between days 1 and 3. LFA-1, Mac-1, CD44, alpha 4-integrin, ICAM-1 and the selectins were found expressed on cells of the synovial infiltrate, LFA-1, Mac-1 and ICAM-1 on the synovial lining layer, and VCAM-1 and P-selectin on endothelial cells. Expression of E-selectin could be demonstrated throughout the experiment at a low level in cells of the acute cell infiltrate. Cytokines, especially IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF, and IFN-gamma, were heavily expressed during the acute phase of arthritis in cellular infiltrate. Taken together these data demonstrate that cytokines and their activation of adhesion molecules contribute to cell infiltration and activation during the initial phase of arthritis and to the induction and progression of tissue destruction in arthritic joints. These molecules might be potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies in inflammatory and arthritic disorders.