Multiple roles of Leu-8/MEL-14 in leukocyte adhesion and function.
Leu-8 and its murine homologue MEL-14 are members of a new family of adhesion molecules encoded on chromosome-1 that share common structural features, including lectin-like domains and tandem repeats homologous to complement binding proteins. The expression of Leu-8 is rapidly down-regulated during cell activation, both at the transcriptional level, and by a rapid post-translational event at the cell membrane, probably involving direct cleavage of the molecule from the cell surface. Lymphocytes that express Leu-8/MEL-14 bind selectively to HEVs in peripheral lymph nodes, and MEL-14 on neutrophils is thought to be important in the initial localization of neutrophils to sites of inflammation. In addition to its role in leukocyte adhesion, there is evidence that the Leu-8 molecule plays a role in cell function. Anti-Leu-8 monoclonal antibody increases suppressor activity of CD4+, Leu-8+ T cells for immunoglobulin synthesis, and anti-Leu-8 directly inhibits differentiation of Leu-8+ B cells. Together these findings indicate that the Leu-8 molecule in common with other cellular adhesion molecules is important not only in cellular adhesion, but also in modification of cell function.
James
S P
SP
Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md.
Murakawa
Y
Y
Kanof
M E
ME
Berg
M
M
D000818:Animals; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology; D019041:L-Selectin; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D015394:Molecular Structure; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000502:physiology*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D019041:L-Selectin