Novel glycoproteins, inaccessible by other techniques, can be obtained by metabolic engineering of the oligosaccharide biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, alteration of cell-surface oligosaccharides can change the properties of receptors involved in cell-cell adhesion. Sialyl Lewis X (sLe(x)) is a cell-surface oligosaccharide determinant which is specifically expressed on granulocytes and monocytes and which interacts with selectins to influence leukocyte trafficking, thrombosis, inflammation, and cancer. Antisense technology targeting fucosyltransferase VI (Fuc-TVI), an enzyme necessary for the synthesis of the sLe(x) in engineered Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, has reduced Fuc-TVI activity, sLe(x) synthesis, and adhesion to endothelial cells. Antisense methodology to reduce targeted activity in oligosaccharide biosynthesis or other pathways is an important addition to CHO cell metabolic engineering capabilities.