P-selectin plays an important role in the development of various diseases, including atherosclerosis and thrombosis. In our laboratory we recently identified a number of specific human P-selectin-binding peptides containing a Glu-Trp-Val-Asp-Val consensus motif, displaying a low micromolar affinity for P-selectin (IC 50 ؍ 2 M). In search of more potent antagonists for P-selectin, we have optimized the EWVDV pentapeptide core motif via a two-step combinatorial chemistry approach. A dedicated library of peptide derivatives was generated by introducing seven substituents at the N and C termini of the motif. In particular, pentapeptides with gallic acid or 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid substituents at the N terminus proved to be considerably more potent inhibitors of P-selectin binding than the parental peptide. After removal of the N-terminal glutamic acid from the core sequence, which appeared to be replaceable by a carboxamide function without loss of affinity, a second library was synthesized to map the chemical moieties within the gallic acid or 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxyl acid groups responsible for the enhanced P-selectin binding. Moreover, by varying the length and rigidity of the connective spacer, we have further optimized the spatial orientation of the N-terminal substituent. The combined use of phage display and subsequent combinatorial chemistry led to the design of a number of gallic acidcontaining peptides with low nanomolar affinity for P-selectin both under static and dynamic conditions (IC 50 ؍ 15.4 nM). These small synthetic antagonists, which are equally as potent as the natural ligand Pselectin glycoprotein ligand-1, are promising leads in anti-atherothrombotic therapy.P-selectin, a cell adhesion molecule involved in the initial attachment and "rolling" of leukocytes across the inflamed vessel wall (1-4), plays a key role in atherosclerosis. In fact, P-selectin deficiency in mice has been shown to reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation (5). Also, P-selectin activation induces hypercoagulance of platelets and mediates plateletmonocyte aggregation and has thus been associated with thrombosis (6 -9). Therefore, intervention in P-selectin-mediated processes is an attractive therapeutic entry.The endogenous ligand for P-selectin is P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), 1 a 220-kDa disulfide-linked homodimeric sialomucin (10). P-selectin binding to PSGL-1 proceeds via a short N-terminal amino acid sequence of the latter, containing three sulfated tyrosines and a sialyl Lewis X (sLeX, Neu5Ac␣2-3Gal1-4[Fuc␣1-3]GlcNAc) moiety (11-14). Most P-selectin antagonists are carbohydrate derivatives of the sLeX structure (15). However, as compared with PSGL-1, these glycosides are relatively poor and unselective P-selectin inhibitors, because binding to the other selectin family members (Eand L-selectin) is equally affected.In our lab we recently identified, through the use of phage display, a number of human P-selectin-binding peptides containing an EWVDV pentapeptide consensus motif (16). Binding of t...