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Leukocyte adhesion: what's the catch?

Daniel A Hammer1

  • 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. hammer@seas.upenn.edu

Current Biology : CB
|February 8, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Leukocyte adhesion molecules called selectins form unique "catch bonds" that strengthen under force. This catch bond behavior explains how cell adhesion changes with fluid flow, a phenomenon known as the shear threshold effect.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cellular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Leukocyte adhesion is crucial for immune responses.
  • Selectins mediate initial contact between leukocytes and blood vessel walls.
  • The mechanical properties of cell adhesion molecules are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanical properties of selectin bonds.
  • To explain the shear threshold effect in leukocyte adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized biophysical techniques to measure bond dissociation rates under varying forces.
  • Analyzed the force-dependent behavior of selectin-mediated interactions.

Main Results:

  • Selectins form 'catch bonds' where dissociation decreases with increasing force.
  • Demonstrated that selectin catch bonds can switch to 'slip bonds' where dissociation increases with force.
  • This transition explains the observed shear threshold effect in leukocyte adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • Selectin catch bonds play a critical role in regulating leukocyte adhesion dynamics.
  • The force-dependent behavior of selectins provides a mechanism for the shear threshold effect.
  • Understanding these mechanics offers insights into inflammatory and immune processes.

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