Abstract: Inhibitors of the adhesion of monocytes to oxidised low density lipoprotein or other lipid raft ligand for the therapy or prophylaxis of a condition involving monocyte adhesion to oxidised LDL or other lipid raft ligand, such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or glomerulonephritis. An assay for identifying such inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of assaying leukocyte binding to vascular tissue which comprises contacting a suspension of a monocyte-like cell line in a suitable medium with a human vascular tissue sample at a temperature of at least 10.degree. C., and quantitating the number of bound monocyte-like cells over a defined area of tissue sample. The assay allows agents which inhibit binding of monocytes to human vascular tissue to be identified and the invention also relates to the use of such agents in the therapy of atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A method of assaying leukocyte binding to a tissue sample, which comprises contacting a arterial tissue sample at a temperature of at least 10.degree. C. with a suspension of monocytes or a cell line having adhesion to arterial tissue similar to monocytes, and quantitating the number of bound cells over a defined area of tissue sample section. The assay allows agents which inhibit binding of monocytes to human vascular tissue to be identified, and the use of such agents is described in the therapy of atherosclerosis.