The vascular E-selectin binds to the leukocyte integrins CD11/CD18.

Leukocyte adhesion involves at least three molecular families of adhesion proteins: the leukocyte integrins CD11/CD18, the intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) and the carbohydrate-binding L-, E- and P-selectins. The intercellular adhesion molecules are well-known ligands for the CD11/CD18 integrins. We now show that E-selectin specifically binds to the sialyl Lex carbohydrate epitopes of leukocyte integrins. Thus, the different families of leukocyte adhesion molecules form an integrated adhesion network.