ITGAM and atherosclerosis: ITGB2, also known as leukocyte-specific CD18, is involved in cell adhesion as well as cell surface-mediated signaling and plays an important role in immune responses.[65] In atrophic gastritis caused by H. pylori, the expression of adhesion molecules (CD11b/CD18) is increased, and the transendothelial migration leads to capillary blockage and gastric injury.[66,67] ITGB2 also plays a role in cell recruitment during atherosclerosis.