Selectins are a family of adhesion receptors that bind to highly glycosylated molecules expressed on the surface of leukocytes and endothelial cells. The interactions between selectins and their ligands control tethering and rolling of leukocytes on the vascular wall during the process of leukocyte migration into the tissues under physiological and pathological conditions. In recent years, it has been shown that leukocyte recruitment in the CNS plays a pivotal role in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. In this review, we discuss the role of selectins in leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, highlighting new findings suggesting that selectins and their ligands may represent novel potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of CNS diseases.
Selectins and their ligands as potential immunotherapeutic targets in neurological diseases
ANGIARI, Stefano;CONSTANTIN, Gabriela
2013-01-01
Abstract
Selectins are a family of adhesion receptors that bind to highly glycosylated molecules expressed on the surface of leukocytes and endothelial cells. The interactions between selectins and their ligands control tethering and rolling of leukocytes on the vascular wall during the process of leukocyte migration into the tissues under physiological and pathological conditions. In recent years, it has been shown that leukocyte recruitment in the CNS plays a pivotal role in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. In this review, we discuss the role of selectins in leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases, highlighting new findings suggesting that selectins and their ligands may represent novel potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of CNS diseases.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.