Chemokines stimulate human T lymphocyte transendothelial migration to utilize VLA-4 in addition to LFA-1

Lymphocyte infiltration in inflammation is induced by the dual actions of chemokines and cell adhesion molecules. The role of LFA-1 and VLA-4 in chemokine-induced T cell transendothelial migration (TEM) across cytokine-activated endothelium has not been examined. LFA-1, but not VLA-4, mediated blood T cell TEM to RANTES, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), and across tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) -stimulated endothelial cells (EC). Chemokine stimulation in combination with TNF-alpha activation of EC induced TEM, which was partially mediated by VLA-4. SDF-1 increased a beta1-integrin activation epitope on T cells and enhanced VLA-4-mediated adhesion. Thus, LFA-1 mediates TEM under most conditions, but VLA-4 can also mediate TEM, although, in contrast to LFA-1, this requires exogenous chemokines and EC activation. In addition, an LFA-1- and VLA-4-independent pathway of lymphocyte TEM can also be induced by SDF-1.     

Roles of alpha(4) integrins/VCAM-1 and LFA-1/ICAM-1 in the binding and transendothelial migration of T lymphocytes and T lymphoblasts across high endothelial venules

Several cell adhesion molecules that mediate the binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV) from flowing blood have been identified but the regulation of lymphocyte migration across the HEV wall into the lymph node (LN) is far from understood. In this study we have used an in vitro model of lymphocyte migration across HEV, and analysed the roles of two integrins in the binding and transendothelial migration of T lymphocytes and T lymphoblasts. The adhesion of T lymphocytes to high endothelial cells (HEC) cultured from rat LN HEV differed from that of T lymphoblasts since the percentage of T lymphoblasts that adhered and transmigrated was higher and was not increased by IFN-gamma pretreatment of HEC. Antibodies to alpha(4) integrins, VCAM-1 or LFA-1 maximally inhibited T lymphocyte adhesion by 40-50%, whereas antibodies to ICAM-1 were less effective (<20% inhibition). The effects of alpha(4) integrin and LFA-1 antibodies were additive, giving >90% inhibition. T lymphocytes which adhered in the presence of LFA-1 antibody showed reduced levels of transmigration and, in the presence of alpha(4) integrin antibody, slightly increased transmigration. Antibodies to alpha(4) integrins, VCAM-1, LFA-1 or ICAM-1 had little effect on T lymphoblast adhesion (maxima of 10-30% inhibition) and T lymphoblasts transmigrated normally in the presence of either alpha(4) integrin or LFA-1 antibodies. However, the effects of alpha(4) integrin and LFA-1 antibodies on T lymphoblast adhesion were synergistic, giving >90% inhibition of adhesion. These results suggest that the majority of T lymphoblasts use either alpha(4) integrins or LFA-1 to bind and transmigrate HEV, and the roles of these integrins on activated T cells are overlapping and redundant. In contrast, either integrin supports half-maximal binding of unactivated T lymphocytes to the surface of HEV and LFA-1 makes a larger contribution than alpha(4) integrins to transendothelial migration.     

Modulation of integrin-mediated intercellular adhesion during the interaction of thymocytes with stromal cells expressing VLA-4 and LFA-1 ligands

Mature peripheral T cells closely regulate their intercellular interactions by modulating integrin adhesion functions. The ability of members of the integrin family to mediate intercellular adhesion is dependent on signals from within the cells (inside-out signaling) that increase the avidity of integrins for their ligands. These changes in avidity are independent of the quantitative changes on the number of receptors, and there is evidence to suggest that phosphorylation events play a predominant role in the regulation of the avidity state of the integrins. Whether such regulatory mechanisms are operative during T cell development had hitherto been an opened question. In the present work, we have used an in vitro adhesion assay between thymocytes and target cells expressing VLA-4 and LFA-1 counter ligands to determine how thymocytes can discriminate between integrin-specific signals during T cell development. Our findings are that VLA-4, but not LFA-1, is constitutively expressed in its high-avidity state during the early stages of T cell development, and that the high-avidity state of thymocytes for VCAM-1-expressing cells is closely regulated by signaling through protein kinase C and protein tyrosine kinase pathways. At later stages of development, mature thymocytes prior to leaving the thymus turn off both VLA-4 and LFA-1 adhesion functions. Our results show that the low-affinity state of integrins on peripheral mature T cells is established before mature thymocytes leave the thymus. Only when mature T cells recognize antigenic peptides in the context of major histocompatibility complex in the periphery will they turn on the adhesion function of VLA-4 and/or LFA-1 integrins.     

Lymph node chemokines promote sustained T lymphocyte motility without triggering stable integrin adhesiveness in the absence of shear forces

Lymphocyte motility in lymph nodes is regulated by chemokines, but the contribution of integrins to this motility remains obscure. Here we examined lymphocyte migration over CCR7-binding chemokines that 'decorate' lymph node stroma. In a shear-free environment, surface-bound lymph node chemokines but not their soluble counterparts promoted robust and sustained T lymphocyte motility. The chemokine CCL21 induced compartmentalized clustering of the integrins LFA-1 and VLA-4 in motile lymphocytes, but both integrins remained nonadhesive to ligands on lymphocytes, dendritic cells and stroma. The application of shear stress to lymphocytes interacting with CCL21 and integrin ligands promoted robust integrin-mediated adhesion. Thus, lymph node chemokines that promote motility and strongly activate lymphocyte integrins under shear forces fail to stimulate stable integrin adhesiveness in extravascular shear-free environments.     

Lymphocyte migration to inflamed lacrimal glands is mediated by vascular cell adhesion molecule-1/alpha(4)beta(1) integrin, peripheral node addressin/l-selectin, and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 adhesion pathways

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and destruction of lacrimal and salivary glands. The development of the inflammation requires the migration of lymphocytes from the blood into these tissues. This migration involves multistep cascades with binding of lacrimal gland endothelial adhesion molecules to their ligands on circulating lymphocytes. We used nonobese diabetic mice, which develop autoimmune-mediated lacrimal gland inflammation, as an experimental model to define the adhesion molecules that control lymphocyte migration into inflamed lacrimal glands. We found that vascular endothelia in inflamed areas of lacrimal gland expressed vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and the peripheral node addressin (PNAd), but not mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1. Most lymphocytes in the inflamed glands expressed alpha(4) integrin, L-selectin, and lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1. In vivo studies revealed that antibodies against VCAM-1, alpha(4) integrin, PNAd, L-selectin, or LFA-1 almost completely blocked lymphocyte migration from blood into inflamed lacrimal glands. There was no inhibition of migration by antibodies against mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 or alpha(4)beta(7) integrin. These results indicate that endothelial/lymphocyte adhesion cascades involving VCAM-1/alpha(4)beta(1) integrin, PNAd/L-selectin, and LFA-1 control the migration of lymphocytes into inflamed lacrimal gland. These adhesion molecules offer potential therapeutic targets to block the development of lacrimal gland inflammation and destruction.     

Bimolecular complex between rolling and firm adhesion receptors required for cell arrest; CD44 association with VLA-4 in T cell extravasation

CD44 on activated T cells can initiate contact and mediate rolling on hyaluronan on endothelial cells. We have shown that the integrin VLA-4 is used preferentially over LFA-1 in conjunction with this rolling interaction for firm adhesion. Here, we show by coimmunoprecipitation and transfection studies that CD44 associates with VLA-4 but not LFA-1 on the plasma membrane of immune cells. Absence of the cytoplasmic portion of CD44 abrogates this coassociation and attendant firm adhesion. Moreover, in an in vivo model of lymphocyte homing, cells expressing only the truncated form of CD44 together with VLA-4 fail to traffic to an inflamed site, thereby defining a discrete biological role for the cytoplasmic domain. These studies demonstrate a molecular mechanism whereby coanchoring within a single bimolecular complex between a primary and secondary adhesion molecule regulates a cell's ability to firmly adhere, providing a fundamental alteration to the paradigm of leukocyte extravasation.     

The low molecular weight Dextran 40 inhibits the adhesion of T lymphocytes to endothelial cells

Dextrans are complex colloidal macromolecules widely used as haemorrheologic substances and anti-thrombotic agents. Here we describe a novel function of Dextran 40 by demonstrating an inhibition of T lymphocyte adhesion to endothelial cells (EC). We applied an established microassay in which constitutive and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced binding of mouse T lymphoma cells (TK-1) to mouse endothelioma (eEND.2) cells is mediated by the interaction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on EC with their counter-receptors the LFA-1 heterodimer (CD11a/CD18) and VLA-4 on T cells. Dextran 40 in therapeutically achievable levels (2–32 mg/ml) reduced both constitutive and TNF-α-stimulated TK-1 adhesion to eEND.2. Selective preincubation of eEND.2 or TK-1 revealed that Dextran 40 acted exclusively on the T cells. To explore further the mechanisms by which Dextran 40 interfered with TK-1 adhesion, their LFA-1 and VLA-4 expression was analysed by FACS. The surface expression levels of neither receptor were affected by Dextran 40. However, confocal microscopy revealed that Dextran 40 interfered with the activation-dependent capping and clustering of LFA-1 and VLA-4 on the surface of TK-1. We conclude that Dextran 40 inhibits the capacity of TK-1 T cells to adhere to eEND.2 endothelial cells and thus may be useful for therapeutic intervention in diseases associated with enhanced T lymphocyte binding to microvascular endothelium.     

Adhesion molecules in intestinal Schistosoma mansoni infection

Adhesion molecules constitute essential elements in inflammation, mediating various cellular interactions. We investigated the expression of adhesion molecules mediating cell-cell [intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)] and cell-matrix interactions [very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), VLA-6, and syndecan-1] in intestinal granulomas of mice infected with the parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Up-regulation of ICAM-1, LFA-1, and VLA-4 was seen in ileal and colonic granulomas, at both the acute (8 weeks postinfection) and the chronic stage (13–16 weeks postinfection). Up-regulation of VLA-6 was absent in all intestinal granulomas. Syndecan-1 immunoreactive (antigen-driven) B-lymphocytes were seen in the proximity of egg-antigen-laden macrophages in the inner part of ileal and colonic granulomas, although B-cells are considered to be absent in ileal granulomas. Estimation of intestinal granuloma volumes demonstrated the lack of down-modulation observed in ileal granulomas. From our results we infer that adhesion molecules constitute important elements in schistosomal intestinal granuloma formation. Organ-related differences between hepatic and intestinal granulomas exist (e.g., granuloma volume), but these differences are not morphologically reflected in a differential expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, LFA-1, and VLA-4. Syndecan-1 immunoreactive B-lymphocytes also appear to be involved in ileal granuloma formation. Received: 8 August 1997 / Accepted: 28 October 1997     

T-lymphocyte responsiveness in murine schistosomiasis mansoni is dependent upon the adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, and very late antigen-4.

Granuloma formation in murine schistosomiasis is dependent on CD4+ Th lymphocytes and requires recruitment and accumulation of inflammatory cells at the site of egg deposition. The present study examined the role of three adhesion molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), that participate in cellular recruitment, interaction, and lymphocyte activation during in vitro activation of acutely and chronically infected spleen and liver granuloma lymphocytes. Blockade of ICAM-1, LFA-1, or VLA-4 by rat monoclonal antibody inhibited spleen and granuloma lymphocyte interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4 production as well as lymphoproliferative responses at similar levels (66 to 87%). The down-modulated cytokine and proliferative responses of chronically infected lymphocytes were inhibited to the same extent as their acutely infected counterparts. Cell sorting analysis demonstrated that acutely and chronically infected splenic and granuloma lymphocytes expressed similar levels of LFA-1, ICAM-1, and VLA-4 and that more ICAM-1 was expressed on infected than on uninfected mouse lymphocytes. By exposure of cells to paired monoclonal antibodies at suboptimal doses, it was determined that whereas all three adhesion molecules may participate, only ICAM-1 and LFA-1 showed synergistic interactions in determining lymphocyte responsiveness. These data suggest that spleen and liver granuloma lymphocytes are equally well armed with functional adhesion receptors. Thus, ICAM-1, LFA-1, and VLA-4 play an important accessory role in inflammatory cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation, and therefore these adhesion molecules may participate in the initiation and maintenance of the granulomatous inflammation.     

Expression of adhesion molecules in Langerhans' cell histiocytosis

Expression of adhesion molecules was investigated in six biopsy specimens of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis using immunocytochemistry. Cells with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis morphology were stained for ICAM-1, for the beta-1 integrins alpha-4 (VLA-4) and alpha-5 (VLA-5), and for the beta-2 integrins LFA-1, MAC-1 and p150,95. This pattern of reactivity was different from that of epidermal Langerhans' cells of the normal skin which were not immunostained. A variable number of CD68+ multinucleated giant cells was present in five biopsies. They were less reactive than the cells of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis for alpha-4 (VLA-4) and LFA-1, were positive for MAC-1 and p150,95 and were characterized by prominent expression of the beta-1 integrins alpha-2 (VLA-2), alpha-3 (VLA-3) and of VnR (alpha-v/ beta-3). The repertoire of adhesion molecules expressed by giant cells is indicative of profound cell-matrix interactions, whereas that of Langerhans' histiocytosis cells suggests particularly active cell–cell interactions. Blood vessels of the lesions were stained for beta-1 integrins, for vitronectin receptor and for molecules involved in adhesion and trans-endothelial migration of circulating leukocytes, such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin. Additional findings were the observation of CD1a+ multinucleated giant cells in a single case, suggesting a possible lineage relationship with the histiocytosis cells, and the demonstration of some Ki-67+ Langerhans' cell histiocytosis cells and CD1a+ mitotic figures in four of six cases, indicating local proliferation of Langerhans' histiocytosis cells.     

Contribution of CD11a/CD18, CD11b/CD18, ICAM-1 (CD54) and −2 (CD102) to human monocyte migration through endothelium and connective tissue fibroblast barriers

Recently we reported that monocyte migration through a barrier of human synovial fibroblasts (HSF) is mediated by the CD11/CD18 (β₂) integrins, and the β₁ integrins VLA-4 and VLA-5 on monocytes. Here we investigated in parallel the role of β₂ integrin family members, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) on monocytes, and the immunoglobulin supergene family members, ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 on HSF and on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), in monocyte migration through HSF and HUVEC monolayers. Using function blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAb), when both VLA-4 and VLA-5 on monocytes were blocked, treatment of monocytes with mAb to both LFA-1 and to Mac-1 completely inhibited monocyte migration across HSF barriers, although blocking either of these β₂ integrins alone had no effect on migration, even when VLA-4 and VLA-5 were blocked. This indicates that optimal β₂ integrin-dependent monocyte migration in synovial connective tissue may be mediated by either LFA-1 or Mac-1. Both ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 were constitutively expressed on HSF and on HUVEC, although ICAM-2 was only minimally expressed on HSF. Based on results of mAb blockade, ICAM-1 appeared to be the major ligand for LFA-1-dependent migration through the HSF. In contrast, both ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 mediated LFA-1-dependent monocyte migration through HUVEC. However, neither ICAM-1 nor ICAM-2 was required for Mac-1-dependent monocyte migration through either cell barrier, indicating that Mac-1 can utilize ligands distinct from ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 on HSF and on HUVEC during monocyte transmigration.     

Role of LFA-1, ICAM-1, VLA-4 and VCAM-1 in lymphocyte migration across retinal pigment epithelial monolayers in vitro.

The blood-retinal barrier (BRB), which is composed of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retinal vascular endothelium, normally restricts the traffic of lymphocytes into the retina. During ocular inflammatory conditions such as posterior uveitis there is a large increase in lymphocyte migration across the BRB. The differential role played by the two barrier sites, however, remains unclear. To evaluate the role of the posterior BRB, the migration of CD4+ antigen-specific T-cell line through rat RPE cell monolayers was investigated in vitro using time-lapse videomicroscopy. The adhesion molecules involved in controlling transepithelial migration across normal and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-activated RPE was assessed with monoclonal antibodies directed against cell adhesion molecules. Lymphocytes were treated with antibodies specific for CD11a (alpha L subunit of LFA-1), CD18 (beta 2 subnit of the leucam family) and CD49 d (alpha 4 subnit of very late activation antigen-4, VLA-4), and the RPE with antibodies specific for CD54 (intracellular adhesion molecule-1, ICAM-1) and CD 106 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, VCAM-1). Migration across unstimulated RPE was inhibited by antibodies to ICAM-1 (48.6 +/- 3.5% reduction), leucocyte functional antigen-1 (LFA-1) alpha (61 +/- 5.2%) and LFA-1 beta (63.2 +/- 4.7%), but not by antibodies to VLA-4. VCAM-1 was not expressed on untreated RPE. Following activation of the RPE monolayers for 72 hr with IFN-gamma, antibodies to LFA-1 alpha, LFA-1 beta and ICAM-1 inhibited migration by 49.9 +/- 9.4%, 63.6 +/- 5.5% and 47.7 +/- 4.2% respectively. Antibodies to VLA-4 and VCAM-1 blocked migration by 21.5 +/- 8.4% and 32.3 +/- 6.2%, respectively, which correlated with the induction of VCAM-1 expression on RPE and increased migration. Under these conditions blocking both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 reduced migration by 70.9 +/- 2.3%, which was greater than the effect of blocking either of these molecules alone. These results demonstrate that the posterior barrier of the BRB utilizes the same principle receptor-ligand pairings in controlling lymphocyte traffic into the retina as the vascular endothelium of the anterior BRB.     

Lymphocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration in the central nervous system: the role of LFA-1, ICAM-1, VLA-4 and VCAM-1. off.

Lymphocyte adhesion to and migration across endothelial cell (EC) monolayers, derived from the rat blood-retinal barrier (BRB), were measured in vitro. The binding of concanavalin A (Con A)-activated peripheral lymph node lymphocytes and the migration of CD4+ T-cell lines could be significantly increased by treating the EC with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta). To determine the role of various adhesion molecules during the processes of lymphocyte binding and transmonolayer migration (diapedesis), lymphocytes were treated with monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for CD11a (alpha L subunit of leucocyte functional antigen-1; LFA-1), CD18 (beta 2 subunit of leucam family) and CD49d (alpha 4 subunit of very late activation antigen-4; VLA-4) and EC with mAb specific for CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1; ICAM-1) and CD106 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1; VCAM-1). Binding of the highly adhesive but non-migratory Con A-activated lymphocytes was inhibited by mAb to CD11a (reduced to 73% and 65% of control lymphocyte adhesion) and CD18 (42% and 54%) on non-activated and IL-1 beta-treated EC, respectively, but not by mAb to ICAM-1 or VCAM-1. Diapedesis of the highly migratory T-cell line lymphocytes was also blocked by antibodies to CD11a (reduced to 11% and 10% of control T-cell migration), CD18 (29% and 43%) but in addition was also inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 (17% and 53%) on non-activated and IL-1 beta treated EC, respectively. Both anti-VLA-4 and anti-VCAM-1 were also effective in producing a smaller reduction in migration, but only on IL-1 beta activated EC (66% and 58% of control migration, respectively). These studies indicate that lymphocyte adhesion to central nervous system (CNS) vascular EC is largely dependent on LFA-1 but not through its interaction with ICAM-1. In contrast, lymphocyte diapedesis is mostly supported through the LFA-1/ICAM-1 pairing, with a small proportion being mediated by VLA-4/VCAM-1 on IL-1 beta-activated EC. This latter pathway, however, also appears to be dependent on LFA-1 interacting with the EC.     

Protein kinase D isoforms are dispensable for integrin-mediated lymphocyte adhesion and homing to lymphoid tissues

Leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) integrins are essential for lymphocyte adhesion, trafficking and effector functions. Protein kinase D (PKD) has previously been implicated in lymphocyte integrin regulation through regulation of Rap1 activity. However, the true role of PKD in integrin regulation in primary lymphocytes has not previously been investigated. The major PKD isoform in lymphocytes is PKD2. Here we employed PKD2-deficient mice, a specific PKD kinase inhibitor, as well as PKD-null DT40 B cells to investigate the role of PKD in integrin regulation in lymphocytes. We report that PKD2-deficient lymphocytes bound normally to integrin ligands in static and shear flow adhesion assays. They also homed normally to lymphoid organs after adoptive transfer into wild-type mice. DT40 B cells devoid of any PKD isoforms and primary lymphocytes pretreated with a specific PKD inhibitor bound normally to integrin ligands, indicating that multiple PKD isoforms do not redundantly regulate lymphocyte integrins. In addition, PKD2-deficient lymphocytes, as well as DT40 cells devoid of any PKD isoforms, could activate Rap1 in response to B-cell receptor ligation or phorbol ester treatment. Together, these results show that the PKD family does not play a critical role in lymphocyte integrin-mediated cell adhesion or lymphocyte trafficking in vivo.     

Lymphocyte migration into the CNS modelled in vitro: roles of LFA-1, ICAM-1 and VLA-4.

We examined the changes in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on brain endothelium in response to tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). ICAM-1 is normally present on these cells and is induced over 24 hr by both cytokines with a time-course which matches enhancement in lymphocyte adhesion. Anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (anti-LFA-1) (CD11a), anti-very late antigen-4 (anti-VLA-4) (CD49d) and anti-CD18 block binding of mitogen-activated lymphocytes to brain endothelium and the effects of anti-LFA-1 and anti-VLA-4 are additive. Anti-ICAM-1 does not however block adhesion, nor does depletion of endothelial ICAM-1 reduce lymphocyte binding. Titration of the interacting cells indicated that the antibody blocking is due to interference in the endothelial/lymphocyte interaction. None of the antibodies affect the binding of non-activated lymphocytes, which is itself normally much lower than that of activated cells. The time at which lymphocyte adhesiveness is greatest for the endothelium corresponds with the time at which the lymphocytes express highest levels of LFA-1 and VLA-4. The data show a role for LFA-1 and VLA-4 in the early interaction of activated lymphocytes with brain endothelium. Kinetic studies indicate that the ligand for VLA-4 is VCAM-1. The ligand for LFA-1 could not be determined with certainty, but if it is ICAM-1, the levels of ICAM-1 on brain endothelium are not critical.     

Expression of adhesion molecules on cord-blood-derived, cultured human mast cells and effect of dexamethasone on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on the mast cells treated by phorbol myristate acetate

BACKGROUND: Increase in mast-cell number at sites of allergic inflammation has been observed, and glucocorticoids applied to the sites have been shown to result in a significant reduction in mast cells. However, the expression of adhesion molecules on cultured human mast cells and their regulation by glucocorticoids is poorly understood. METHODS: Cultured human mast cells were raised from human umbilical cord-blood cells, and the expression of adhesion molecules on the mast cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The cells were also incubated with 10 ng/ml phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for the indicated time, and the effect of dexamethasone on adhesion molecule expression on PMA-treated, cultured human mast cells was examined. RESULTS: Cord-blood-derived, cultured human mast cells constitutively expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), and macrophage-1 antigen (Mac-1). Weak expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) was observed on the cells, whereas they failed to express vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Kinetic studies showed that after a transient downregulation reaching a minimum at 8 h, the expression of ICAM-1 was markedly upregulated on PMA-treated mast cells after a 24-h incubation. In contrast, the expression of VLA-4 and Mac-1 was decreased after the incubation with PMA for 24 h. The PMA-induced upregulation of ICAM-1 was inhibited by dexamethasone in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that cord-blood-derived, cultured human mast cells constitutively express integrins and ICAM-1, but not VCAM-1, and demonstrate for the first time that dexamethasone inhibits the upregulation of ICAM-1 on PMA-treated, cultured human mast cells.     

Regulation of T-cell interaction with fibronectin by transforming growth factor-β is associated with altered Pyk2 phosphorylation

Although the involvement of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in inflammatory reactions has been extensively studied, its mode of action in the context of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is still not fully understood. We undertook this study in an attempt to reveal the putative roles of TGF-beta in T-cell adhesion and migration. We found that a 60-min treatment of T cells with TGF-beta regulates T-cell adhesion to fibronectin (FN), a prototype cell adhesion protein of the ECM, depending on the presence of other activators. At 5 pg/ml to 1 ng/ml, TGF-beta alone induced T-cell adhesion to FN in an integrin alpha4/beta1- and integrin alpha5/beta1-dependent manner. TGF-beta also attenuated T-cell migration on the stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1alpha gradients. These effects of TGF-beta were not accompanied by alteration in the expression of very-late activation antigen type 4 (VLA-4) and VLA-5, nor were they mediated by the cyclo-oxygenase pathway. The cellular mechanism underlying the adhesion-regulating activities of TGF-beta involves adhesion-associated cytoskeletal elements. TGF-beta induced the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase Pyk2, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and this effect was markedly increased in the presence of immobilized FN, suggesting a collaborative role for FN-specific integrins. Indeed, TGF-beta-induced Pyk2 phosphorylation was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies against VLA-4, VLA-5 and CD29. Thus, TGF-beta, which may appear at extravascular sites during inflammation, affects the adhesion of T cells to ECM glycoproteins and their migration by its ability to differentially induce or inhibit the phosphorylation of Pyk2.     

Role of cell-cell communication in inhibiting butyric acid-induced T-cell apoptosis

We have previously demonstrated that human gingival fibroblasts rescue butyric acid-induced T-cell apoptosis via proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-11, which are produced by fibroblasts stimulated with butyric acid. In this study, we determined if T-cell adhesion to human gingival fibroblasts influenced the susceptibility of T cells to butyric acid-induced apoptosis. We have shown that the number of Jurkat T cells adherent to gingival fibroblasts (Gin-1 cells) was significantly increased by the addition of butyric acid. All Jurkat cells that adhered to Gin-1 cells remained viable, while the nonadherent Jurkat cells dropped into apoptosis. The increase in T-cell adhesion to fibroblasts was also observed when Jurkat cells, but not Gin-1 cells, were pretreated with butyric acid. The expression levels of CD44, very late antigen 2 (VLA-2) and VLA-5 but not of leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) and VLA-4 on Jurkat cells were increased following treatment with butyric acid. Furthermore, pretreatment of butyric acid-sensitized Jurkat cells with monoclonal antibodies against CD44, VLA-2, and VLA-5, but not LFA-1 and VLA-4, followed by coculture with Gin-1 cells inhibited T-cell adhesion to fibroblasts and increased apoptosis of nonadherent T cells after coculture of gingival fibroblasts and Jurkat cells. These results indicate that T-cell adherence to fibroblasts is enhanced by butyric acid and that butyric acid-induced T-cell apoptosis is down-regulated by T-cell adhesion to gingival fibroblasts through an interaction with the adhesion molecules CD44, VLA-2, and VLA-5 expressed on T cells stimulated with butyric acid.     

Identical expression of ELAM-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in sarcoidosis and usual interstitial pneumonitis

Extravasation of leucocytes in tissues is mediated by leucocyte—endothelial cell interactions in which adhesion molecules play an important role. Until now, two pathways have been unravelled, i.e., the LFA-1/ICAM-1 and the VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathways. ELAM-1 has been shown to be involved in granulocyte accumulation and recently also in lymphocyte migration. The role of HECA-452 is under investigation. In this study we have investigated the expression of the above-mentioned adhesion molecules in lung tissue of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP), and in mediastinal lymph nodes of patients with sarcoidosis. ICAM-1 (CD54) was broadly distributed on the endothelium of all the vessels found in sarcoidosis and UIP. VCAM-1 was present on the endothelium of the venules, capillaries, and arterioles in both sarcoidosis and UIP. ELAM-1 reacted with endothelial cells lining venules and capillaries in chronic progressive sarcoidosis and in the active phase of UIP but not in the stationary phases of both diseases. HECA-452 activity could be detected only on high endothelial venules within sarcoid lymph nodes. In lung tissues, macrophages bearing the ICAM-1 antigen were present in sarcoid tissue but not in the interstitium and alveolar space of UIP. LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) and VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29) were present on all leucocytes found but seemed to be more highly expressed on lymphocytes in sarcoidosis. These findings suggest that the LFA-1/ICAM-1 and VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathways are involved in leucocyte migration in both types of lung disease, while in the active phases of sarcoidosis and UIP, ELAM-1 is also involved.     

LFA-3 (CD58) mediates T-lymphocyte adhesion in chronic inflammatory infiltrates

Previous studies have suggested that LFA-3 has an important role in a number of chronic inflammatory pathologies, although an active role for LFA-3 within in vivo inflammatory reactions has not previously been directly observed in humans. To assess the importance of LFA-3 in this process, this study used an adaptation of the Stamper-Woodruff lymphocyte adhesion assay to measure the binding of exogenous activated lymphocytes to the T-cell-dominated chronic inflammatory infiltrate of oral lichen planus. Antibody blockade experiments showed that anti-LFA-3 monoclonal antibody reduced lymphocyte adhesion by approximately 29%, while anti-ICAM-1 produced a reduction of 26%. These results thus suggest that both LFA-3 and ICAM-1 are likely to mediate cell-cell interactions within lesional tissues in vivo. Moreover, these findings are also the first to directly demonstrate that LFA-3-mediated adhesion, like that of ICAM-1, is functionally important in the molecular pathology of inflammatory mucosal disease.