Tissue injury resulting from ischemia and reperfusion forms the basis of several important disorders including myocardial infarction, stroke, and circulatory shock. To examine the role of neutrophils in this process and to determine the extent to which injury is a consequence of reperfusion, we utilized the monoclonal antibody 60.3, directed to CD18, the human leukocyte adherence glycoprotein, to block intravascular neutrophil aggregation and neutrophil adherence to endothelium in a rabbit model of tissue ischemia and reperfusion. Antibody treatment either before ischemia or after ischemia, but prior to reperfusion, resulted in the same degree of significant protection against endothelial, microvascular, and tissue injury. We conclude that neutrophils and increased neutrophil adhesiveness are important in the development of microvascular and tissue injury after ischemia and reperfusion and that under these circumstances, injury is primarily a consequence of reperfusion.