Expression of an L-selectin ligand on hematopoietic progenitor cells

The process of hematopoiesis is dependent on discrete cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions which are tightly regulated by expression of adhesion molecules. L-selectin, an adhesion protein best known for regulating leukocyte attachment to endothelium, is characteristically expressed on the earliest hematopoietic progenitor cells. Ligands for L-selectin have been extensively characterized on endothelial cells. We recently identified a ligand for L-selectin expressed on the human hematopoietic progenitor cell line KG1a. This molecule is an integral membrane glycoprotein which is structurally different from all ligands previously described. We hypothesize that this molecule may mediate L-selectin-specific adhesive interactions during hematopoiesis. This article discusses the biology of L-selectin and its ligands, and reviews our current understanding of the structure and distribution of the L-selectin ligand expressed on hematopoietic cells.