SELL Specific Neutra™ Antibody Products

L-selectin, also known as CD62L, is a cell adhesion molecule crucial for leukocyte trafficking and immune response. It is a glycoprotein primarily expressed on leukocytes, mediating their interaction with endothelial cells during inflammation. Structurally, L-selectin consists of an N-terminal C-type lectin domain, an adjacent epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, and short consensus repeats. The gene encoding L-selectin is located on chromosome 1 in humans and is known as theSELL gene. This gene plays a key role in regulating leukocyte migration and homing to sites of infection or inflammation, highlighting its importance in immune surveillance and host defense mechanisms.

Its Gene ID: 6402, UniProtKB ID: P14151, and OMIM ID: 153240.

Binding of L-selectin and Ligands

High endothelial venules (HEVs) in peripheral lymph nodes and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues express ligands for L-selectin, including GlyCAM-1, CD34, and MAdCAM-1. L-selectin recognizes specific carbohydrate determinants on these ligands, such as sialyl Lewis X, through its C-type lectin domain. This interaction is calcium-dependent and facilitates the initial anchoring and rolling of leukocytes along the endothelium surface, a crucial step in the extravasation process. The binding is a rapid, reversible interaction that enables efficient leukocyte recruitment to sites of immune surveillance or inflammation, highlighting the importance of L-selectin in mediating leukocyte trafficking.

Functions of L-selectin in Leukocyte Subsets

L-selectin plays a crucial role in mediating the trafficking and homing of various leukocyte subsets. In lymphocytes, L-selectin facilitates their interaction with HEVs in lymphoid tissues, promoting lymphocyte extravasation and immune surveillance. Its expression on neutrophils is vital for their recruitment to sites of inflammation, enabling their adhesion to endothelial cells and subsequent transmigration into tissues. Additionally, L-selectin on monocytes supports their tethering and rolling on endothelial surfaces, contributing to their recruitment to inflamed tissues. The regulation of L-selectin expression is influenced by cytokines, chemokines, and cellular activation signals, with different leukocyte subsets exhibiting distinct patterns of L-selectin modulation in response to specific stimuli, thereby fine-tuning their migratory and homing properties to fulfill their respective immune functions.

Fig.1 L-selectin involved in the rolling of leukocytes.¹

Roles of L-selectin in Diseases

L-selectin has been implicated in various diseases, including HIV infection and tumor progression. In HIV, L-selectin expression on CD4⁺ T cells promotes their interaction with HIV-infected cells and facilitates viral dissemination. Moreover, L-selectin plays a role in immune cell recruitment to tumor sites, contributing to tumor growth and metastasis. Its involvement in leukocyte adhesion and migration suggest that L-selectin may serve as a potential therapeutic target for modulating immune responses and controlling disease progression in HIV and cancer.

Antibodies Targeting L-selectin

Therapeutic antibodies targeting L-selectin aim to modulate leukocyte trafficking and inflammation. Research has shown that blocking L-selectin can reduce leukocyte adhesion and migration, potentially mitigating inflammatory responses. In the context of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), preclinical studies have explored the use of anti-L-selectin antibodies to disrupt leukemic cell interactions with the microenvironment, regulating CLL cell survival in vitro, and impeding tumor progression. These antibodies hold promise for altering the behavior of leukocytes in CLL and potentially impacting disease outcomes. Additionally, studies show that anti-CD62L therapeutic antibodies can abrogate the effects of diet-induced steatohepatitis.

Fig.2 Improvement of disease outcome in diet-induced steatohepatitis by anti-CD62L (L-selectin) antibody.²

Creative Biolabs offers nine kinds of anti-SELL/L-selectin antibody products. These antibodies are recombinantly expressed and can be employed in eight different applications.

REFERENCES

1. Strell, Carina, and Frank Entschladen. "Extravasation of leukocytes in comparison to tumor cells." Cell Communication and Signaling 6 (2008): 1-13. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 2.0. The image was modified by extracting and using only part of the original image.
2. Drescher, Hannah K., et al. "L-selectin/CD62L is a key driver of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice and men." Cells 9.5 (2020): 1106. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0. The image was modified by extracting and using only part of the original image.