The interaction of L-selectin expressed on leukocytes with endothelial cells leads to capture and rolling and is critical for the recruitment of leukocytes into sites of inflammation. It is known that leukocyte activation by chemoattractants, the change of osmotic pressure in cell media, or cross-linking of L-selectin all result in rapid shedding of L-selectin. Here we present a novel mechanism for surface cleavage of L-selectin on neutrophils during rolling on a sialyl Lewis x-coated surface that involves mechanical force. Flow cytometry and rolling of neutrophils labeled with Qdot(R)-L-selectin antibodies in an in vitro flow chamber showed that the mechanical shedding of L-selectin occurs during rolling and depends on the amount of shear applied. In addition, the mechanical L-selectin shedding causes an increase in cell rolling velocity with rolling duration, suggesting a gradual loss of L-selectin and is mediated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Thus, these data show that mechanical force induces the cleavage of L-selectin from the neutrophil surface during rolling and therefore decreases the adhesion of cells to a ligand-presenting surface in flow.