Modulation of leukocyte transendothelial migration by integrin-associated glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-anchored proteins

Leukocyte transendothelial migration is an essential process in inflammation and the immune response. The mechanisms involved in leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium, forming the first step in leukocyte extravasation, have been fairly well documented. However, subsequent steps, which include de-adhesion, coupled with locomotion, remain largely unknown. As part of our efforts to study leukocyte transendothelial migration, we previously established a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that sequentially up-regulates and down-regulates β2 integrin-dependent adhesion of human neutrophils, as well as transendothelial migration in vitro. The molecule recognized by this mAb is a glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol, (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein. This protein may prove to be a new member of the family of integrin-associated, GPI-anchored proteins, which also includes urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/LPS binding protein (LBP) receptor (CD14), and Fcγ receptor IIIB (CD16b); all of which are regulators of integrin function. The mechanisms involved in β2 integrin regulation by this new GPI-anchored glycoprotein are discussed.