L- and P-Selectins Collaborate to Support Leukocyte Rolling in Vivo When High-Affinity P-Selectin-P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 Interaction Is Inhibited

P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) binding to P-selectin controls early leukocyte rolling during inflammation. Interestingly, antibodies and pharmacological inhibitors (eg, rPSGL-Ig) that target the N-terminus of PSGL-1 reduce but do not abolish P-selectin-dependent leukocyte rolling in vivo whereas PSGL-1-deficient mice have almost no P-selectin-dependent rolling. We have investigated mechanisms of P-selectin-dependent, PSGL-1-independent rolling using intravital microscopy. Initially we used fluorescent microspheres to study the potential of L-selectin and the minimal selectin ligand sialyl Lewisx (sLex) to interact with postcapillary venules in the absence of PSGL-1. Microspheres coated with combinations of L-selectin and sLex interacted with surgically stimulated cremaster venules in a P-selectin-dependent manner. Microspheres coated with either L-selectin or sLex alone showed less evidence of interaction. We also investigated leukocyte rolling in the presence of PSGL-1 antibody or inhibitor (rPSGL-Ig), both of which partially inhibited P-selectin-dependent leukocyte rolling. Residual rolling was substantially inhibited by L-selectin-blocking antibody or a previously described sLex mimetic (CGP69669A). Together these data suggest that leukocytes can continue to roll in the absence of optimal P-selectin/PSGL-1 interaction using an alternative mechanism that involves P-selectin-, L-selectin-, and sLex-bearing ligands.