selectin
This term is a specialized biological portmanteau derived from "selectin" (selective + lectin), reflecting the protein's ability to selectively bind to specific carbohydrate ligands. It is used exclusively within medical, biochemical, and immunological registers to describe the molecular mechanisms of leukocyte trafficking.
In a clinical or research context, the term is typically used to discuss the "rolling" phase of inflammation, where selectins act as the initial "brake" that slows down white blood cells moving through the bloodstream before they adhere firmly to the vessel wall.
Meanings
A cell adhesion molecule, specifically a type of protein found on the surface of white blood cells and endothelial cells, that mediates the initial tethering and rolling of leukocytes on the vascular wall during inflammation.
The expression of E-selectin on endothelial cells is crucial for the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of injury.