The state diagram for cell adhesion under flow: Leukocyte rolling and firmadhesion

Leukocyte adhesion under flow in the microvasculature is mediated by bindin g between cell surface receptors and complementary ligands expressed on the surface of the endothelium. Leukocytes adhere to endothelium in a two-step mechanism: rolling (primarily mediated by selectins) followed by firm adhe sion (primarily mediated by integrins). Using a computational method called "Adhesive Dynamics." we have simulated the adhesion of a cell to a surface in flow, and elucidated the relationship between receptor-ligand functiona l properties and the dynamics of adhesion. We express this relationship in a state diagram, a one-to-one map between the biophysical properties of adh esion molecules and various adhesive behaviors. Behaviors that are observed in simulations include firm adhesion, transient adhesion (rolling), and no adhesion. We varied the dissociative properties, association rate, bond el asticity, and shear rate and found that the unstressed dissociation rate, k (r)(o), and the bond interaction length, gamma, are the most important mole cular properties controlling the dynamics of adhesion. Experimental k(r)(o) and gamma values from the literature for molecules that are known to media te rolling adhesion fall within the rolling region of the state diagram. We explain why L-selectin-mediated rolling, which has faster k(r)(o) than oth er selectins, is accompanied by a smaller Value for gamma. We also show how changes in association rate, shear rate, and bond elasticity alter the dyn amics of adhesion. The state diagram (which must be mapped for each recepto r-ligand system) presents a concise and comprehensive means of understandin g the relationship between bond functional properties and the dynamics of a dhesion mediated by receptor-ligand bonds.