Mechanical properties of P-selectin PSGL-1 bonds.

•A noncontact method for characterizing the adhesion and mechanical properties of P-selectin PSGL-1 is introduced.•Work-of-adhesion of the ligand-receptor interface is determined as WA = 70.0 ± 8.0 mJ/m2.•Average rupture force of a single P-selectin PSGL-1 ligand receptor bond is given as Frupt = 171 ± 56 pN.•Stiffness of a single ligand-receptor pair is characterized as kb = 0.56 ± 0.04 mN/m.•Young’s modulus of a P-selectin PSGL-1 ligand-receptor layer is reported as E = 28.74 ± 3.96 MPa.