Abstract
The interactions of the selectin family of adhesion molecules with their ligands are essential for the initial rolling stage of leukocyte trafficking. Under inflammatory conditions, the vascular selectins, E- and P-selectin, are expressed on activated vessels and interact with carbohydrate-based ligands on the leukocyte surface. While several ligands have been characterized on human T cells, monocytes and neutrophils, there is limited information concerning ligands on B cells. Endoglycan (EG) together with CD34 and podocalyxin comprise the CD34 family of sialomucins. We found that EG, previously implicated as an L-selectin ligand on endothelial cells, was present on human B cells, T cells and peripheral blood monocytes. Upon activation of B cells, EG increased with a concurrent decrease in PSGL-1. Expression of EG on T cells remained constant under the same conditions. We further found that native EG from several sources (a B cell line, a monocyte line and human tonsils) was reactive with HECA-452, a mAb that recognizes sialyl Lewis X and related structures. Moreover, immunopurified EG from these sources was able to bind to P-selectin and where tested E-selectin. This interaction was divalent cation-dependent and required sialylation of EG. Finally, an EG construct supported slow rolling of E- and P-selectin bearing cells in a sialic acid and fucose dependent manner, and the introduction of intact EG into a B cell line facilitated rolling interactions on a P-selectin substratum. These in vitro findings indicate that EG can function as a ligand for the vascular selectins.