Assays for inhibitors of leukocyte adhesion

摘要

The present invention provides novel assays for determining the ability of a test compound to inhibit intercellular adhesion mediated by a selectin receptor, such as the LHR. The assays involve contacting the test compound with the receptor and an isolated receptor-binding agent. The receptor-binding agent is a sulfated polysaccharide, a sulfated glycolipid, or a compound comprising the extracellular region of an endothelial cell surface glycoprotein. Also provided are compositions comprising a compound comprising the extracellular region of an endothelial cell surface protein, which is specifically recognized by lymphocyte homing receptors.