The fate of E-selectin expressed on TNF-activated monolayers of HUVEC was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cytokine-activated endothelial cells internalized mAb to E-selectin in a very rapid, energy-dependent fashion. By contrast, mAb against ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 remained surface bound. The E-selectin mAb was recovered in intracellular compartments with a tubular morphology, some of which appeared to be interconnected. Cathepsin B, a ubiquitously expressed lysosomal protease, was found to co-localize in these structures. Functional specificity of E-selectin-internalization was observed upon addition of the fluorescent SLex-oligosaccharide to the activated HUVEC monolayers. Uptake into the same E-selectin-positive compartments was observed, whereas the control oligosaccharide Lex was not internalized at all. The process of internalization was found to be unaffected by most inhibitors of protein kinase C, cAMP-dependent PKA, or protein tyrosine kinase activity. Whereas cytochalasin B preincubation of HUVEC failed to inhibit the internalization process, colchicine and vinblastine, reagents that interfere with the metabolism of tubulin, prevented the formation of the elongated structures in which E-selectin would normally be internalized. Concomitantly, the expression of E-selectin at the cell surface was significantly increased.