Endothelial P-selectin expression contributes to the first wave of neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte; PMN) inf lux in several inf lammatory conditions. Although remote tissue ischemia, such as a crush injury to the hindlimb, may result in P-selectin-mediated pulmonary leukosequestration, it is not known whether the lungs exhibit a similar response after hypothermic preservation or when subjected to a direct ischemic insult. To determine if P-selectin may mediate early primary graft failure, left lungs harvested from male Lewis rats were preserved for 6 hr at 4؇C and transplanted orthotopically into isogeneic recipients. Recipients immunodepleted of PMNs before transplantation demonstrated improved graft function; pulmonary vascular resistance was reduced Ϸ6-fold, arterial oxygenation was increased Ϸ3-fold, and recipient survival was increased Ϸ4-fold (P < 0.05, 0.05, and 0.005, respectively). Administration of a blocking anti-P-selectin IgG 10 min before reperfusion diminished graft PMN infiltration and resulted in improved graft function and recipient survival compared with controls. To establish the role of P-selectin in normothermic pulmonary ischemia, mice were subjected to temporary left pulmonary artery ligation. After functional removal of the nonischemic right lung, mice deletionally mutant for the P-selectin gene (Pselectin ؊͞؊) exhibited reduced PMN infiltration (Ϸ2-fold), improved arterial oxygenation (Ϸ2-fold), and improved survival (Ϸ3-fold) compared with P-selectin ؉͞؉ control mice (P < 0.05, 0.01, and 0.05, respectively). These studies isolate and identify the central role of a single gene product (Pselectin) in early PMN recruitment and tissue injury after frank pulmonary ischemia and in the setting of lung transplantation after hypothermic preservation.