Abstract
The Selectins are a family of adhesion molecules which mediate the binding of leukocytes to endothelial cells. ELAM1, a member of this family, is expressed on the surface of endothelial cells in response to cytokines and can facilitate the binding of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, NK cells and CLA+ memory T cells. There is evidence that ELAM1 is present in both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. In addition, there is data that suggest ELAM1 may be involved in metastasis of colon carcinoma. The putative ligand(s) for ELAM1 are discussed in detail, Currently, it is clear that a structure related to, but not necessarily identical to, the carbohydrate Slex [SAα2, 3Galβ1, 4(α1, 3Fuc) GlcNAc] is critical in most, if not all ELAM1 interactions. The important parts of this structure are the SA (sialic acid) and the fucose moiety.
