Lectin selectins and their counter-receptors participate in discontinuous cell-cell interactions concurrent with leukocyte tethering and rolling on endothelium, which, in consequence, leads to leukocyte penetration to lymphatic organs and generation of inflammation sites. Counter-receptors are glycoproteins in which carbohydrate units, the direct selectin ligands, are built into the polypeptide framework. In this review, the distribution, structure and function of the main ligands and counter-receptors for P-, L- and E-selectins known so far, have been discussed. The common biosynthetic pathway of sialyl-Lewis x and sulpho-sialyl-Lewis x determinants of selectin ligands has been described.