OBJECTIVE

E-selectin (CD62E) is an adhesion molecule that participates in the binding of leukocytes to activated blood vascular endothelium. The present study was undertaken to characterise the pattern of E-selectin expression on epithelial cells of the gingival crevice and oral epithelium.

METHODS

A panel of six anti-E-selectin monoclonal antibodies was reacted with cryosections of human gingiva and cytospins of cultured gingival keratinocytes.

RESULTS

Three antibodies raised against leukocyte binding epitopes of the molecule (H4/18, H18/7, 1.2B6) were reactive with gingival keratinocytes, three were negative (4D10, BBA1, BBA2), while all six reacted with endothelial cells. Staining with H18/7 and 1.2B6 was weaker and more variable than with H4/18. In cell culture, levels of E-selectin expression reduced slowly, and were only modestly increased by treatment with exogenous TNF alpha, a known inducer of E-selectin on endothelium.

CONCLUSIONS

E-selectin epitopes are expressed on gingival keratinocytes. These binding epitopes may be involved in the traffic of leukocytes in this tissue compartment.