title: L-selectin in health and disease.
abstract: This article reviews recent advances in the knowledge of the role of L-selectin, an adhesion molecule that is expressed on the surface of circulating leucocytes, in animal and human physiology and pathophysiology. After a brief discussion on nomenclature and structure, it progresses through the evidence for expression and regulation of L-selectin, cell collection and purification, physiological function and roles. The special role of knock out mice and monoclonal antibodies in determining a role for L-selectin in inflammatory states is described before proceeding to discuss the importance of L-selectin ligands and shed L-selectin. A second section describes a role for L-selectin in pathophysiological states in animals and man, with special reference to trauma, systemic inflammatory syndromes and sepsis. The review concludes with a summary of the potential role of anti-inflammatory medication and L-selectin blockers in the management of inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Accident and Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Shatin, People's Republic of China. rainer1091@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Timothy H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Rainer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D019041:L-Selectin