Counteradhesive proteins are a group of genetically and structurally distinct multidomain proteins that have been grouped together for their ability to inhibit cell-substrate interactions. Three counteradhesive proteins that influence endothelial cell behavior include thrombospondin (TSP)1, (SPARC) (Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine), also known as osteonectin, and tenascin. More recently, these proteins have been shown to regulate not only cell-matrix interactions but cell-cell interactions as well. TSP1 increases tyrosine phosphorylation of components of the cell-cell adherens junctions or zonula adherens (ZA) and opens the paracellular pathway in human lung microvascular endothelia. The epidermal growth factor (EGF)-repeats of TSP1 activate the (EGF) receptor (EGFR) and ErbB2, and these two receptor protein tyrosine kinases (PTK)s participate in ZA protein tyrosine phosphorylation and barrier disruption in response to the TSP1 stimulus. For the barrier response to TSP1, EGFR/ErbB2 activation is necessary but insufficient. Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)mu counter-regulates phosphorylation of selected tyrosine residues within the cytoplasmic domain of EGFR. Although tenascin, like TSP1, also contains EGF-like repeats and is known to activate EGFR, whether it also opens the paracellular pathway is unknown. In addition to TSP1, tenascin, and the other TSP family members, there are numerous other proteins that also contain EGF-like repeats and participate in hemostasis, wound healing, and tissue remodeling. EGFR not only responds to direct binding of EGF motif-containing ligands but can also be transactivated by a wide range of diverse stimuli. In fact, several established mediators of increased vascular permeability and/or lung injury, including thrombin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, platelet-activating factor, bradykinin, angiopoietin, and H(2)O(2), transactivate EGFR. It is conceivable that EGFR serves a pivotal signaling role in a final common pathway for the pulmonary response to selected injurious stimuli. SPARC/Osteonectin also increases tyrosine phosphorylation of ZA proteins and opens the endothelial paracellular pathway in a PTK-dependent manner. The expression of the counteradhesive proteins is increased in response to a wide range of injurious stimuli. It is likely that these same molecules participate in the host response to acute lung injury and are operative during the barrier response within the pulmonary microvasculature.