Inflammation has developed in the course of evolution as a process to defend the body against invading microbes and to respond to injuries. Several mechanisms of interaction between endothelial cells and leukocytes have evolved to render inflammation an effective, tightly controlled, and self-limited process. Imperfect executions of this "game plan" lead to pathological abnormalities resulting in diseases. The meeting on Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation held at Schloss Elmau, Germany in October 2002 has featured activation of endothelial cells, adhesion and migration of leukocytes, as well as receptor pathways for activation and deactivation of leukocytes and, concomitantly, of the inflammatory response. Thus, a review on some of the presented data casts interesting spotlights on different steps of the inflammatory cascade.