The change in vascular adhesion molecule expression and number of infiltrating leukocytes were investigated irnmunohistochemically in clinically healthy and inflammed gingiva. Monoclonal antibodies to ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-cadherin were used to identify positive vessels and leukocyte within gingival biopsies. 10 healthy gingiva and 30 inflammed gingiva was resected by clinical crown lengthening and modified Widman flap operation, respectively. Leukocyte entry into tissues at sites of inflammation is controlled by the interaction between adhesion molecule and endothelium. Because of rapid and severe destructive periodontal disease that is remarkable leukocyte adhesion deficiency, it is very important to unerdstand the mechanism of host defence against periodontal disease. The purpose of this investigation was the characterization of the presence and distribution of the adhesion molecule(ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and Evcadherin) in inflammatory gingival tissues compared to clinically healthy gingiva. The results were as followed; 1. ICAM-1 was distributed on basal layer, endothelium and mononuclear cells 10 healthy gingiva but inflammed gingiva was observed stronger stain than healthy gingiva. 2. Rare expression was observed in both group but few positive VCAM-1 cells were investigated in inflammatory gingival tissues 3. E-cadherin was expressed in only epithelium and reduced expression was observed in inflammatory gingival tissues. ICAM-1, VCAM-1 showed more expression in inflammatory tissues compared to healthy gingiva. Conversely, E-cadherin revealed a opposite result. These finding demonstrate a characteristic distribution and degree of adhesion molecule in healthy and inflammatory gingival tissues. But it is suggested that more detail study be progressive associated with leukocyte adhesion molecule to determine characterization of periodontal disease.