The leukocyte receptor CD62, which is expressed on activated platelets and endothelial cells, is shown to mediate cell adhesion by binding a sialylated carbohydrate structure, sialyl-Lewis x, found on neutrophils, monocytes, and tumor cells. This structure has previously been identified as the ligand for another member of the LEC-CAM family of cell adhesion molecules, endothelial cell-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1, which also binds neutrophils and monocytes. The results demonstrate that although the two LEC-CAMs differ in their biological activities by their distribution and mode of expression, they are capable of mediating cell adhesion by recognition of the same carbohydrate ligand.

CD62 and endothelial cell-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) recognize the same carbohydrate ligand, sialyl-Lewis x.