The role of the monocyte integrins, Mac-1, LFA-1, and VLA-4, on the adhesion of rat blood monocytes to rat microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and the importance of these receptors in monocyte migration to inflammation in vivo were evaluated. Monocyte adhesion to cytokine (IL-1, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha)-stimulated endothelial cells was mediated by Mac-1, LFA-1, and VLA-4, but Mac-1 appeared to be less important than LFA-1 or VLA-4. After i.v. injection, large numbers of 51Cr-labeled blood monocytes migrated within 2 h to dermal inflammatory sites induced by C5a, IL-1 alpha, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, LPS, and poly inosinic:cytidylic acid. Anti-Mac-1 mAb treatment had no effect, whereas anti-LFA-1 inhibited migration to C5a and the cytokines by 20 to 40%. Blocking both Mac-1 and LFA-1 decreased monocyte accumulation by 50 to 70% to all stimuli. Anti-VLA-4 inhibited monocyte migration to IL-1 alpha, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and LPS, but not to C5a. Combining anti-Mac-1 with anti-VLA-4 did not increase this inhibition, whereas blocking VLA-4 and LFA-1 together further suppressed (60-85%) migration. Combined treatment with mAb to all three integrins inhibited > 98% of the monocyte migration to the inflammatory stimuli. In conclusion: 1) 51Cr blood monocytes can be used to quantify monocyte migration to inflammatory reactions in the rat. 2) Monocytes use Mac-1, LFA-1, and VLA-4 for in vitro adhesion and in vivo migration to cutaneous inflammation, and these integrins are essential for normal migration because blockade of all three virtually abolishes monocyte accumulation. 3) Mac-1 plays a less important role than LFA-1, as LFA-1 appears to substitute for Mac-1, and VLA-4 and LFA-1 can mediate much of the adhesion and migration. 4) The initiating inflammatory stimulus also modifies monocyte integrin usage, supporting the multistep combinatorial model of leukocyte extravasation.