Likewise,in other various inflammatory diseases, including asthma, rheumatoidarthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the binding of theleukocytes α4β1 integrin to VCAM-1 ligand expressed onendothelial cells initiates adhesion of the leukocyte to the vascularendothelium followed by extravasation into the CNS tissue, thus contributingto the inflammation and pathogenesis of the MS disease. The gene discussed is VCAM1; the disease is inflammatory bowel disease.