Interactions of all major peripheral blood leukocytes were studied during adhesion to human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC). Simultaneous quantification of distinct leukocytic cell populations was carried in a recently established adhesion assay followed by FACS analysis. Adhesion of stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was enhanced in the presence of granulocytes compared to adhesion of PBMC alone. This effect required direct cell-cell contact as granulocyte supernatant in the absence of granulocytes failed to yield the same extent of PBMC adhesion. Quantification of the common leukocyte beta2-integrin subunit (CD18) and the common leukocyte beta1-integrin subunit (CD29) as well as blocking with anti-CD18 antibodies revealed no differences between PBMC adhering alone or in company of granulocytes to HDMEC. Blocking E-selectin, however affected 'mixed' (i.e., PBMC in the presence of granulocytes) adhesion more profoundly than 'single' adhesion of PBMC. HDMEC subjected to 'mixed' leukocyte cell adhesion expressed E-selectin at 24 h after cytokine stimulation, while HDMEC without contact to leukocytes did no longer express E-selectin at this time. In conclusion, functionally diverse peripheral blood leukocytes can interact in order to enhance cell adhesion without up-regulation of leukocytic integrin expression via an E-selectin dependent mechanism.