Question

Selectins mediate interactions between which of the following?

A) leukocytes and blood vessel endothelial cells
B) muscle cells and ECM
C) nerve cells and other nerve cells
D) intestinal epithelial cells with neighboring cells
E) skin cells in different skin layers

Answer 1

Selectins mediate interactions mainly between leukocytes and blood vessel endothelial cells by facilitating leukocyte rolling along the endothelium, critical for immune response.

Step-by-step explanation:

Selectins mediate the interactions primarily between leukocytes and blood vessel endothelial cells. They are a group of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that play a crucial role in the immune response, specifically in the process of leukocyte extravasation where white blood cells move out of the circulatory system towards the site of tissue damage or infection. Selectins enable the initial contact between the leukocytes and the endothelium by binding to specific carbohydrate ligands on the leukocytes, facilitating their rolling along the vessel wall, a precursor to firm adhesion and transendothelial migration.