L-Selectin

USA

L-selectin is important for lymphocyte homing and adhesion to high endothelial cells of post capillary venules of peripheral lymph nodes. Moreover, this adhesion molecule contributes greatly to the capture of leukocytes during the early phases of the adhesion cascade. Following capture, L-selectin is shed from the leukocyte surface after chemoattractant stimulation. L-selectin interacts with three known counter receptors or ligands, MAdCAM-1, GlyCAM-1, and CD34. In conjunction with other molecules, L-selectin's function and influence in the adhesion cascade has been under scrutiny in many experiments using gene-targeted mice.