E- and P-selectin: differences, similarities and implications for the design of P-selectin antagonists.

Selectins form a family of Ca2+ -dependent carbohydrate binding proteins that mediate the initial step of leukocyte recruitment in the inflammatory process. Blocking of selectins is therefore considered a promising therapeutic approach to treat acute and chronic inflammatory diseases which are caused by excessive extravasation of leukocytes. This mini-review highlights the major structural differences between E- and P-selectin and summarizes the resulting strategies for the design of selectin antagonists.