GMP-140, A RECEPTOR THAT MEDIATES INTERACTIONS OF LEUKOCYTES WITH ACTIVATED PLATELETS AND ENDOTHELIUM

GMP-140, a membrane glycoprotein located in secretory granules of platelets and endothelium, is rapidly redistributed to the cell surface following cellular activation. GMP-140 promotes rapid adhesion of neutrophils and monocytes to activated endothelium at sites of tissue injury as well as platelet-leukocyte interactions in areas of inflammation and hemorrhage. Like other leukocyte adhesion molecules, GMP-140 may also be involved in inflammatory disorders such as reperfusion injury. Further study of the structure and function of GMP-140 and related receptors may lead to development of new drugs that block leukocyte adhesion in human disease.