Leukocyte rolling velocities and migration are optimized by cooperative L-selectin and intercellular adhesion...

Selectin family members largely mediate initial tethering and rolling of leukocytes on vascular endothelium, whereas integrin and Ig family members are essential for leukocyte firm adhesion. To quantify functional synergy between L-selectin and Ig family members during leukocyte rolling, the EA.hy926 human vascular endothelial line was transfected with either fucosyltransferase VII (926-FtVII) cDNA to generate L-selectin ligands alone or together with ICAM-1 cDNA (926-FtVII/ICAM-1). The ability of transfected 926 cells to support human leukocyte interactions was assessed in vitro using parallel plate flow chamber assays. Lymphocyte rolling on 926-FtVII cells was increased by approximately 70% when ICAM-1 was expressed at physiological levels. Although initial tether formation was similar for both cell types, lymphocyte rolling was 26% slower on 926-FtVII/ICAM-1 cells. Pretreatment of lymphocytes with an anti-CD18 mAb eliminated the increase in rolling, and all rolling was blocked by anti-L-selectin mAb. In addition, rolling velocities of lymphocytes from CD18-hypomorphic mice were 48% faster on 926-FtVII/ICAM-1 cells, with a similar reduction in rolling frequency relative to wild-type lymphocytes. CD18-hypomorphic lymphocytes also showed an approximately 40% decrease in migration to peripheral and mesenteric lymph nodes during in vivo migration assays compared with wild-type lymphocytes. Likewise, wild-type lymphocyte migration to peripheral lymph nodes was reduced by approximately 50% in ICAM-1(-/-) recipient mice. Similar to human lymphocytes, human neutrophils showed enhanced rolling interactions on 926-FtVII/ICAM-1 cells, but also firmly adhered. Thus, in addition to mediating leukocyte firm adhesion, CD18 integrin/ICAM-1 interactions regulate leukocyte rolling velocities and thereby optimize L-selectin-mediated leukocyte rolling.