In vivo and in vitro functional examination of a conserved epitope of L- and E-selectin crucial for leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions.

Selectins constitute a three-member gene family of carbohydrate-binding adhesion proteins found on the surface of leukocytes and endothelial cells that is central to inflammation-associated leukocyte recruitment and lymphocyte recirculation. E- and P-selectin are inducible and expressed on the surface of endothelial cells under inflammatory conditions, whereas L-selectin is constitutively expressed on most circulating leukocytes. Previously, we have characterized a unique mAb (EL-246) that recognizes a common epitope on both E- and L-selectin, which is presented or determined by their short consensus repeat domains. This report defines the functional properties of EL-246 and its cognate epitope. In a novel in vitro physiologic shear system, we show that neutrophil rolling on activated HUVECs and on E-selectin cDNA transfectants is blocked 45 to 120 s after infusion of EL-246. The examination of the binding of neutrophils to E-selectin cDNA transfectants reveals that their adhesion is blocked by EL-246 treatment of either cell type. A unique Ab transfer mechanism is demonstrated in which El-246 is delivered unidirectionally from L- to E-selectin to surpass the adhesion blocked by mAbs that recognize either L- or E-selectin alone. By using flow cytometry and in vivo homing techniques, we show that pretreating bovine lymphocytes with EL-246 blocks their ability to home to mouse peripheral lymph nodes by > 65%. Cumulatively, these results suggest that EL-246 is a uniquely potent pharmacologic inhibitor of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions that are mediated by either E- or L-selectin.