Compositions comprising oligonucleotides which are specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids encoding cellular adhesion molecules intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) are disclosed. A series of double stranded RNA molecules targeting human ICAM-1 were designed and inhibition of RNA was measured. Oligonucleotides targeted to ICAM were effective in reducing airway hyperresponsiveness in mouse and monkey asthma models.