L-Selectin (also known as Leukocyte Selectin, LAM-1, LECAM-1, LECCAM-1, TQ1, Leu-8, MEL-14 antigen, DREG, lymph node homing receptor, CD62L) is a member of the Selectin family of cell surface molecules which include E-Selectin and P-Selectin. All Selectins have an extracellular domain composed of an amino-terminal calcium-dependent lectin domain, an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, two to nine short consensus repeat (SCR) units, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail. L-Selectin expression is limited to hematopoietic cells, with most leukocytes expressing L-Selectin at some stage of differentiation. The majority of myeloid cells, B cells, and virgin T cells express L-Selectin, while only a sub-population of memory T cells and NK cells express L-Selectin. Lymphocytes and neutrophils exhibit a reversible loss of L-Selectin after cellular activation that results from endoproteolytic release of the extracellular portion of receptor from the cell surface. Cleavage of L-Selectin from the cell surface results in a high circulating level of functionally active soluble L-Selectin. All selectins bind sialytated and fucosylated oligosaccharides that are linked to glycoproteins and glycolipids. L-Selectin specifically binds to at least three different heavily glycosolylated mucin-like proteins: GlyCAM-1, CD34, and MAdCAM-1. Multiple studies indicated that L-Selectin, P-Selectin E-Selectin collaborate to mediate the initial binding of leukocytes to endothelium at sites of tissue injury and inflammation, producing the characteristic “rolling” of leukocytes along the endothelium. L-Selectin knockout mice have a 70% decrease in rolling leukocytes in exposed mesentery and have impaired neutrophil and monocyte migration into areas of inflammation. Additionally, L-Selectin knockout mice have relatively few lymphocytes present in peripheral lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches. Short-term in vivo homing experiments in L-Selectin deficient mice demonstrate that L-Selectin is involved in lymphocyte homing to Peyer’s patches and mesenteric lymph nodes in the gut. Rat and human L-Selectin share 77% amino acid sequence homology. Rat and mouse L-Selection share 83% amino acid sequence homology (1, 2).

1. Tedder, T.F. et al. (1995) FASEB Journ. 9:866.
2. McEver, R.P. et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:11025.