High endothelial cells synthesize and degrade sLex. Putative implications for L-selectin-dependent recognition.

L-selectin guides lymphocytes into peripheral lymphoid tissues by recognizing glycoprotein ligands decorated with 6-sulfated sialyl Lewis x (sulfo sLex). Here we have used a rat peripheral lymph node high endothelial cell line (Ax) to study in detail the synthesis, expression and degradation of sLex epitope. We show here that Ax cells possess active alpha(1,3)fucosyltransferase Fuc-TVII, the enzyme responsible for the final fucosylation of sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine during sLex synthesis, and express sLex on the cell surface.

Expression and function of alpha 2,3-sialyl- and alpha 1,3/1,4-fucosyltransferases in colon adenocarcinoma cell lines: role in synthesis of E-selectin counter-receptors.

We show here that colon-carcinoma cell lines adhere to E-selectin via sialyl Lewis x and sialyl Lewis a (s(Lex) and s(Lea)) oligosaccharides and that this adhesion can be enhanced by TNF stimulation. To study in greater detail this endothelial binding, we analysed the mRNA expression and function of the enzymes participating in the generation of s(Lex) and s(Lea on cancer cells. These oligosaccharides are synthesized by sequential action of alpha 2,3 sialyl (alpha 2,3-ST) and alpha 1,3/1/4 fucosyltransferases (alpha 1,3/1,4-FT) on existing (poly)N-acetyllactosamine chains.

De novo expression of endothelial sialyl Lewis(a) and sialyl Lewis(x) during cardiac transplant rejection: superior capacity of a tetravalent sialyl Lewis(x) oligosaccharide in inhibiting L-selectin-dependent lymphocyte adhesion.

Acute organ transplant rejection is characterized by a heavy lymphocyte infiltration. We have previously shown that alterations in the graft endothelium lead to increased lymphocyte traffic into the graft. Here, we demonstrate that lymphocytes adhere to the endothelium of rejecting cardiac transplants, but not to the endothelium of syngeneic grafts or normal hearts analyzed with the in vitro Stamper-Woodruff binding assay.

Alpha E beta 7 and alpha 4 beta 7 integrins associated with intraepithelial and mucosal homing, are expressed on macrophages.

The two beta 7 integrins alpha E beta 7 and alpha 4 beta 7 are the most recently described members of the integrins participating in intercellular binding. Their expression has been shown to be restricted to leukocytes and they have been suggested to be predominantly found in lymphocytes associating with the epithelium. Expression of beta 7 has mainly been studied on lymphocytes whereas macrophages have been reported not to express the beta 7 integrins.

Alpha 2,3-sialyl and alpha 1,3-fucosyltransferase-dependent synthesis of sialyl Lewis x, an essential oligosaccharide present on L-selectin counterreceptors, in cultured endothelial cells.

Sialyl Lewis x (sLex) oligosaccharides have been shown to be present in counterreceptors for L-selectin. We and others have previously shown that high endothelial cells in lymph nodes and at sites of inflammation express sLex. Here we show that also cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) express sLex on their cell surface.