Selectins and their counter receptors: a bitter sweet attraction.
Selectins are adhesion receptors expressed by leucocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells. They mediate the initial binding of leucocytes to vascular endothelium in the post-capillary venules. This is an essential first step in leucocyte migration into tissue. The selectin family of adhesion receptors consists of three C-type lectins (E, P, and L selectin). Their ligands (counter structures) are sialylated and fucosylated carbohydrate molecules which, in most cases, decorate mucin-like glycoprotein membrane receptors. Studies using blocking monoclonal antibodies have shown that inhibition of selectin function can ameliorate a range of inflammatory processes, offering the possibility that antagonists of selectin function may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma.
Symon
F A
FA
Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Leicester School of Medicine, Glenfield Hospital, UK.
Wardlaw
A J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D019087:Selectins / Q000502:physiology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019087:Selectins