Leukocyte adhesion assay

A method for the treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis in a patient by inhibiting the binding of monocytes to arterial tissue in said patient, said method comprising administering to said patient an agent having the property of inhibiting binding of monocytes to arterial tissue as determined by 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, and conducting said assaying in the presence and the absence of a potential inhibitory agent, or with and without preincubation of the cell suspension or the tissue with a potential inhibitory agent, and assessing the effect of the agent on the extent of monoycte binding, to identify said agent, said agent being administered to said patient in an amount effective to inhibit binding of monocytes to arterial tissue in said patient.