Selectins: lectins that initiate cell adhesion under flow

Interactions of selectins with cell-surface glycoconjugates mediate tethering and rolling adhesion of leukocytes and platelets on vascular surfaces. Recent studies have helped elucidate the molecular details of selectin-ligand interactions, the biosynthetic pathways for constructing selectin ligands, and the biophysical and cell biological features that modulate selectin-dependent rolling under flow.