The faster kinetics of L-selectin than of E-selectin and P-selectin rolling at comparable binding strength.

Selectins are a family of lectins that mediate tethering and rolling of leukocytes on endothelium in vascular shear flow. To test the hypothesis that the kinetics and the strength of rolling interactions can be independently varied for different selectin:ligand pairs, we have directly compared all three selectins with regard to distinct measures of selectin-mediated interactions in shear flow: tethering, rolling velocity, and strength of rolling adhesions. At comparable site densities of E-selectin, P-selectin, and the L-selectin counter-receptor CD34, neutrophils tethered with similar efficiency and developed rolling adhesions of similar strength as measured by resistance to detachment. Under the same conditions, neutrophils rolled 7.5- to 10.5-fold faster on CD34 than on E-selectin and P-selectin. These findings suggest that the kinetics of bond dissociation and bond formation are faster for L-selectin than for E- and P-selectin. We also compared the behavior of neutrophils and lymphocytes on the same selectin. Both cell types showed comparable strength of binding to CD34; however, neutrophils rolled with faster velocities than lymphocytes.