L-selectins revealed by immobilized analogue molecules on human peripheral blood lymphocytes

The lymphocyte-endothelial interaction is initiated by selection type adhesion molecules on the surface of the lymphocytes (L-selectins) and by their carbohydrate ligands (addressins) in the glycocalyx of the endothelial cells. Under experimental conditions they can be substituted by analogue sugars, such as polyphosphonomonoester core polysaccharide and fucoidin. In this study, the expression of phosphomannosyl and fucoidin receptors is demonstrated on lymphocytes from human peripheral blood by polyacrylamide immobilized analogues. Based on adhesion and sugar inhibitory experiments, authors suggest that lineage and probably species specific differences exist in the expression and activity of the selectins responsible for binding of the two analogue molecules.