The human peripheral lymph node vascular addressin. An inducible endothelial antigen involved in lymphocyte homing.

The extravasation of blood-borne lymphocytes into organized lymphoid tissues and sites of chronic inflammation is directed in part by interactions of lymphocyte surface adhesion molecules, known as homing receptors, with tissue-selective endothelial ligands called vascular addressins. In mice and humans, lymphocyte L-selectin and the peripheral lymph node addressin (PNAd) form a homing receptor-endothelial ligand pair involved in lymphocyte traffic to peripheral lymph node (PLN). We have examined the tissue distribution and function of human PNAd, using monoclonal antibody MECA-79 and in vitro assays of L-selectin-dependent lymphocyte binding. We demonstrate that PNAd is expressed by human high endothelial venules (HEV) in lymphoid tissues which support lymphocyte adhesion via a PLN-associated recognition system. MECA-79 inhibits adhesion to these HEV of a cell line that binds predominantly via the PLN-homing receptor, L-selectin, but has no effect on adhesion by a mucosal HEV-binding cell line. Furthermore, MECA-79 blocks binding of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to both PLN and tonsil HEV, but not significantly to HEV in the appendix. In addition, we demonstrate PNAd induction on venules at chronic inflammatory sites in humans, particularly sites with severe or long-standing chronic inflammatory involvement. These results confirm that PNAd functions as a PLN vascular addressin in humans, and that in addition to directing normal lymphocyte recirculation to lymph nodes and tonsils, this addressin likely participates in lymphocyte recruitment to sites of chronic inflammation.     

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) mediates lymphocyte-endothelial interactions in chronic kidney rejection

The pathogenesis of chronic kidney rejection characterized by persistent low-level inflammation and intimal thickening of the arteries in the graft remains poorly understood. We studied whether two important endothelial adhesion molecules, vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VAP-1) and peripheral node addressin (PNAd), would contribute to the lymphocyte recruitment into the rejected organ. VAP-1 was found to be present both in the normal kidney and prominently also in the chronically rejected kidneys. In the kidney VAP-1 was a homodimeric sialoglycoprotein expressed in peritubular capillaries, but not on glomerular endothelium or on tubular cells. In contrast, PNAd was absent from all kidney samples, indicating that kidney inflammation differs from other sites of chronic inflammation. Blocking of VAP-1 with mAbs abolished > 50 % of lymphocyte binding to renal vessels in rejected kidney in in vitro adhesion assays. Levels of circulating soluble VAP-1 (sVAP-1) decreased back to normal levels in patients with well-functioning transplants. These results are the first evidence that VAP-1 is able to mediate leukocyte binding into a rejected organ. Thus, anti-adhesive therapies targeting VAP-1 may be useful in controlling chronic kidney graft rejection.     

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.     

L-selectin and alpha 4 beta 7 integrin homing receptor pathways mediate peripheral lymphocyte traffic to AKR mouse hyperplastic thymus.

Before the development of thymic lymphoma, AKR mice undergo a striking lymphoid hyperplasia of the thymic medulla. We have previously shown that there is a marked increase in traffic of B and T lymphocytes from the periphery into the preneoplastic, hyperplastic thymuses of these mice, in contrast to the scant traffic of such cells to normal thymuses. The traffic of lymphocytes to lymph nodes and Peyer's patches is controlled in part by the interaction of lymphocyte adhesion molecules called homing receptors with their tissue-selective endothelial ligands known as vascular addressins. We have investigated the roles of homing receptors and vascular addressins in the traffic of lymphocytes to the AKR hyperplastic thymus. We demonstrate that development of hyperplasia is accompanied by an increase in the number of thymic medullary blood vessels with high endothelial venule morphology and expression of the peripheral node addressin (PNAd) and the mucosal addressin (MAdCAM-1). In vitro and in vivo functional assays show that the addressin/homing receptor pairs PNAd/L-selectin and MAdCAM-1/alpha 4 beta 7 are involved in lymphocyte traffic to the hyperplastic thymus. These results indicate that molecular adhesion mechanisms involved in tissue-selective migration of lymphocytes to peripheral lymph node and to mucosal lymphoid tissues play a role in the recruitment of B and T lymphocytes to the AKR thymus and thus in the pathogenesis of thymic hyperplasia.     

Evidence for involvement of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in lymphocyte interaction with endothelium in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the central nervous system in the SJL/J mouse.

We have investigated the expression of vascular adhesion molecules during the first stage of chronic inflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the SJL/J mouse. Immunocytochemical analysis of frozen sections of inflamed versus noninflamed brains and spinal cords showed that the vascular endothelium in brains and spinal cords from diseased animals expressed high levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) but no detectable mucosal addressin or peripheral lymph node addressin. In frozen section assays, anti-alpha 4 integrin and anti-VCAM-1 monoclonal antibodies inhibited binding of mouse peripheral lymphocytes to inflamed brains at both 4 C and 20 C. Antilymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 and anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies inhibited binding of mouse peripheral lymphocytes to inflamed brains at 20 C. These results are consistent with an important role for the vascular adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 and for their lymphocytes receptors in lymphocyte recruitment to the central nervous system.     

Different forms of human vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) in blood vessels in vivo and in cultured endothelial cells: implications for lymphocyte-endothelial cell adhesion models

Vascular endothelium plays a pivotal role in controlling leukocyte extravasation from the blood into the tissues. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is a novel endothelial cell molecule which mediates lymphocyte binding to the vascular lining (Salmi, M., and Jalkanen, S., Science 1992. 257: 1407). In this study, we analyzed endothelial cell type-specific differences of VAP-1. In vivo, VAP-1 is a 90/170-kDa molecule which is mainly expressed on the lumenal surface and in cytoplasmic granules of peripheral lymph node-type postcapillary venules (high endothelial venules, HEV). In tonsil HEV, VAP-1 is modified with abundant sialic acids. VAP-1 is also detectable in the cytoplasm of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and in an endothelial cell hybrid EaHy-926, although both cell types lack detectable surface VAP-1. Cultured endothelial cells do not express MECA-79-defined peripheral lymph node addressins either. VAP-1 was not translocated onto the endothelial cell surface after stimulation with multiple cytokines, mitogens or secretagogues which induced expression of other known endothelial adhesion molecules. Biochemical analyses revealed that VAP-1 is a ～ 180-kDa protein in these endothelial cell types. Digestions with neuraminidase, O-glycanase and N-glycanase, as well as treatment of cells with tunicamycin and benzyl-N-acetylgalactosaminide, did not alter the molecular mass of VAP-1 in EaHy-926. Pulse-chase experiments showed that VAP-1 is directly synthesized as a 180-kDa molecule without any detectable precursors. Thus, in cultured endothelial cells, VAP-1 is a 180-kDa protein which is devoid of post-translational modifications, and in particular, lacks the sialic acids crucial for the function of VAP-1 in tonsil vessels. Notably, the endothelial cell types commonly used as a model in studying lymphocyte-endothelial cell interactions lack surface expression of VAP-1 and peripheral node addressins, and hence are inherently of limited use in analyses of the initial adhesion of lymphocytes.     

Altered patterns of T cell migration through lymph nodes and skin following antigen challenge.

Antigen challenge has profound effects on a regional lymph node (LN); it leads to an increase in blood flow to the node, and a marked increase in lymphocyte output through the efferent lymphatics. We used the isolated LN model developed in the sheep to see if antigen challenge in a LN resembled inflammation in peripheral tissues. Following stimulation with an antigen (purified protein derivative of tuberculin), lymphocyte output from the LN showed the typical periods of "lymphocyte shutdown" and "recruitment". The shutdown phase, when cell numbers in efferent lymph dropped by approximately 80%, affected almost exclusively the naive-type (adhesionlo, L-selectin+) T cell population. The large increase in T cell traffic through the node during the recruitment phase was mostly due to CD4+ memory-type T cells and, moreover, the majority of these T cells were L-selectin-, indicating that these cells were crossing from the blood by a molecular mechanism other than L-selectin interaction with its ligand, the "lymph node vascular addressin" (MECA-79). Examination of LN high endothelial venules revealed the presence of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), an endothelial adhesion molecule which has been reported to bind preferentially memory-type T cells in inflammatory lesions. Within the skin, antigen challenge also induced the rapid expression of VCAM-1 on vascular endothelium. It was purely memory-type T cells (beta 1+, L-selectin+/-) that collected in lymph draining from this tissue. However within chronically inflamed skin, the MECA-79 determinant appeared on vascular endothelium, and a small proportion of T cells draining from chronically inflamed skin were of naive-type. The present results illustrate that there are similarities in the cellular and molecular events that characterize antigen stimulation of a LN and inflammation in a peripheral tissue.     

Organ-selective regulation of vascular adhesion protein-1 expression in man

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is an endothelial molecule which mediates lymphocyte binding to endothelium in peripheral lymph nodes and at certain sites of inflammation. The expression of VAP-1 in vivo is strongly up-regulated in inflamed tissues, such as gut and skin. The purpose of this work was to examine the factors responsible for this induction of VAP-1. Since the expression of VAP-1 could not be induced in cultured endothelial cells with a large panel of mediators, we used an organ culture technique for the investigation of the regulation of VAP-1 expression in a more physiological micromilieu. Indeed, we found that the expression of endothelial VAP-1 could be up-regulated in human tonsillar tissue with interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interferon (IFN)-γ and lipopolysaccharide, whereas histamine, thrombin, dibutyryl cAMP, N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) had no effect. The induced VAP-1 protein was similar in molecular weight to the non-induced VAP-1, suggesting that VAP-1 synthesized de novo carries appropriate carbohydrate moieties. In contrast to tonsil organ culture, similar inductions performed with human appendix showed no up-regulation of VAP-1 expression, indicating that the regulation of VAP-1 expression exhibits organ-selective characteristics. Furthermore, in these tissues the smooth muscle cells, which constitutively express VAP-1, could not be stimulated to alter their level of expression of this molecule. In conclusion, the expression of VAP-1 can be markedly up-regulated with several mediators in tonsil but not in appendix organ culture, whereas cultured endothelial cells cannot be induced to express VAP-1. These results indicate that the expression of VAP-1 is regulated in a tissue- and cell type-selective manner, and a correct micromilieu is required for the up-regulation to occur.     

Morphological aspects of LFA-1/ICAM-1 and VLA4/VCAM-1 adhesion pathways in human lymph nodes

Monoclonal antibodies specific for the adhesion molecules participating in lymphocyte homing, lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and very late antigen 4 (VLA4), and their respective ligands, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), were used to characterize their expression pattern in human lymph nodes by immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic techniques. The location of LFA-1-positive lymphocytes and selective expression of ICAM-1 on the luminal plasma membrane of high endothelial venule endothelium suggested that the LFA-1/ICAM-1 adhesion pathway participates only in the initial step of the lymphocyte migration process. Lymphocytes passing through endothelium appear not to be influenced by this pathway. VCAM-1 was detected occasionally on the endothelium of high endothelial venules in the hyperplastic lymph nodes in the mesentery, but not in peripheral lymph nodes. VLA4-positive lymphocytes tended to be more frequently observed within high endothelial venules in mesenteric lymph nodes than in peripheral ones. Strong expression of both ligands, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, was noted on the plasma membrane of follicular dendritic cells, and was especially prominent on their labyrinthine folding, and on the interdigitating cells in the paracortex. Furthermore, both LFA-1-and VLA4-positive lymphocytes localized around these cells. This suggests that LFA-1/ICAM-1 and VLA4/VCAM-1 adhesion pathways play an important role in the lymphocyte recognition of antigen-presenting cells.     

Complexity and differential expression of carbohydrate epitopes associated with L-selectin recognition of high endothelial venules.

Carbohydrate ligands for lymphocyte L-selectin are expressed on high endothelial venules (HEVs) in peripheral lymph nodes and sites of chronic inflammation and mediate the recruitment of lymphocytes from the blood into these tissues. In the mouse, these ligands, collectively termed the peripheral lymph node addressin (PNAd), have been shown to contain fucose, sialic acid, and sulfate and to include several HEV glycoproteins including GlyCAM-1, CD34, and MAdCAM-1. Monoclonal antibody (MAb) MECA-79, which binds a sulfate-dependent epitope, recognizes PNAd in both mouse and man. In humans, only CD34 has been identified among the glycoprotein species that react with MECA-79. Although P-selectin is highly expressed in tonsil HEVs, it was not found to react with MECA-79 or to support L-selectin-mediated lymphocyte rolling. To further characterize human PNAd, MAbs were developed against purified PNAd immunoisolated from human tonsil. MAbs JG-1, JG-5, JG-9, and JG-10, like MECA-79, bind HEVs in human tonsil and react similarly in Western blots, and JG-9 and JG-10 also block lymphocyte rolling on purified PNAd. In addition, by competitive ELISA on purified tonsil PNAd, all MAbs were found to react with overlapping epitopes. However, JG-1, JG-5, JG-9, and JG-10 do not recognize mouse PNAd, and unlike MECA-79, they recognize determinants that are sensitive to neuraminidase. Strikingly, the epitope recognized by JG-1, although abundant in tonsil and peripheral lymph node, is absent from appendix HEVs or HEVs in some samples of chronically inflamed skin, even though these HEVs are MECA-79 reactive. Moreover, although JG-5 and JG-9 react well with tonsil, peripheral lymph node, and inflamed skin HEVs, they react only with occasional endothelial cells in appendix tissues. These findings point to significant diversity in the carbohydrate determinants expressed by HEVs and recognized by L-selectin and demonstrate their differential representation in different sites in vivo. These antibodies should be useful in probing the precise structure of human L-selectin ligands.     

Expression of lymphocyte homing receptors and vascular addressins in low-grade gastric B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.

In this study, we examined lymphocyte homing receptor and vascular addressin expression in a case of primary gastric B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) with a secondary intestinal spread. We compared the findings with that observed in B cells of normal MALT and MALT acquired as a consequence of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and other low-grade gastric B-cell MALT lymphomas. The neoplastic B cells in the gastric tumor were alpha 4 beta 7-, CD62L+, whereas the intestinal secondary was alpha 4 beta 7+, CD62L-. Incubation of isolated tumor cells from the stomach by H. pylori generated T-cell-dependent proliferation of neoplastic B cells and induced expression of alpha 4 beta 7 integrin similar to the intestinal tumor. These observations indicate that reversal of homing receptor profile in the gastric tumor by antigen specific stimulation may be responsible for secondary intestinal dissemination. In normal stomach and normal MALT, alpha 4 beta 7 and CD62L expression reflected the differentiation of the B cell. Plasma cells were alpha 4 beta 7+, CD62L-, whereas a subset of memory B cells were alpha 4 beta 7-, CD62L+. Homing receptor expression in MALT lymphoma B cells was heterogeneous, however, in line with their memory B-cell phenotype in the majority of cases, the neoplastic B cells were alpha 4 beta 7-, CD62L+. Neoplastic plasma cells were always alpha 4 beta 7+, CD62L-. The venules in normal gastric mucosa expressed mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 but not peripheral lymph node addressin. In normal MALT, H. pylori-associated follicular gastritis and MALT lymphomas high endothelial venules coexpressed mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 and peripheral lymph node addressin. These findings suggest expression of lymphocyte homing receptors by B cells and vascular addressins by mucosal venules are similar in normal MALT and MALT lymphomas, and factors controlling normal mucosal B-cell traffic are also operational in MALT lymphomas.     

Rolling of lymphocytes and neutrophils on peripheral node addressin and subsequent arrest on ICAM-1 in shear flow

We studied leukocyte interactions in shear flow with peripheral lymph node addressin (PNAd), a mixture of glycoproteins expressed on high endothelial venules (HEV) that is required for lymphocyte homing and has been shown to contain a ligand for L-selectin. T lymphocytes and neutrophils tether and roll on plastic-immobilized PNAd and E-selectin at 1.8 dyn/cm² wall shear stress, but fail to interact with immobilized ICAM-1, a ligand for LFA-1 and Mac-1, at the same flow rate. Cells roll faster on PNAd than on P-selectin or E-selectin. L-selectin mAb inhibit T lymphocyte and neutrophil tethering to PNAd, but do not inhibit T lymphocyte tethering to purified E-selectin. If allowed to interact with ICAM-1 under static conditions, phorbol ester-treated T lymphocytes, but not resting T lymphocytes, are able to form stationary adhesions that withstand the detachment force generated by 36 dyn/cm² wall shear stress. In contrast, a wall shear stress of 7.3 dyn/cm² detaches 50% of resting T lymphocytes bound to PNAd. Incubating T lymphocytes on PNAd and ICAM-1 does not result in adhesion strengthening, suggesting that adhesion through PNAd by L-selectin does not stimulate lymphocyte LFA-1 avidity for ICAM-1. Chemoattractant stimulation of neutrophils or phorbol ester stimulation of lymphoblasts rolling on co-immobilized PNAd and ICAM-1 results in rapid arrest and firm sticking, extending the model of sequential selectin-mediated rolling and subsequent integrin-mediated firm arrest to lymphocytes and ligands expressed on HEV.     

Mucosal addressin expression and binding-interactions with naive lymphocytes vary among the cranial,oral, and nasal-associated lymphoid tissues

The head and neck lymph nodes (LN)--or cranial, oral, and nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (CONALT)--help disseminate activated lymphocytes to produce salivary immune responses, especially after intranasal immunization. To elucidate the mechanisms that induce immunity at these sites, we investigated the interactions between addressins and homing-receptors that allow for lymphocyte binding to high endothelial venules (HEV) of CONALT. In vivo lymphocyte trafficking to CONALT was mediated primarily through interactions between peripheral node addressin (PNAd) and L-selectin, whereas interactions between mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) and alpha 4 beta 7 played a role in retention in cervical LN (CLN). Upon immunofluorescent staining for PNAd and MAdCAM-1, nearly all HEV in CONALT expressed PNAd, with varying MAdCAM-1 expression among these LN. The parotid gland LN (PRLN) and submaxillary gland LN (SMLN) rely exclusively upon PNAd-L-selectin interactions for naive-lymphocyte binding, whereas the CLN utilize PNAd-L-selectin interactions and MAdCAM-1-alpha 4 beta 7 interactions for binding. Intense staining of non-HEV-expressed vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was observed in PRLN, whereas SMLN and CLN displayed less VCAM-1 but showed intense staining for diffuse MAdCAM-1. This study suggests that though PNAd-L-selectin interactions play an important role in the trafficking of lymphocytes throughout CONALT, varying MAdCAM-1 and VCAM-1 addressin expression and usage impart important differences among the PRLN, SMLN, and CLN.     

Genetic defect in T lymphocyte-specific homing into peripheral lymph nodes

Lymphocytes circulating in the bloodstream home into lymph nodes (LN). T cells predominate in peripheral LN (PLN) and B cells in spleen or mucosal tissue, e.g. Peyer's patches (PP). DDD/1 mice are unique in marked paucity of LN cells, especially T cells. T cell frequency in PLN was 20–40% in this strain, compared to 60–80% in others. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the low density of T cells in the subcortical area but normal colonization of B cells in cortical area in PLN of DDD/1. In contrast, the T cell content of peripheral blood and spleen was higher in DDD/1 but that in PP was not significantly different compared to other strains. It was thus concluded that this abnormality in DDD/1 results from a homing defect of T cells into PLN but not from lymphopenia. Genetical analysis showed that the defect in T cell-specific homing was regulated by a single autosomal recessive gene, tentatively designated plt (p aucity of l ymph node T cells). Reciprocal bone marrow transplantation indicated that the plt phenotype may arise from some defect in PLN stroma but not in lymphocytes. An in vivo homing assay using fluorescence-labeled lymphocytes demonstrated that the homing defect was specific for T cells but not for B cells. A Stamper-Woodruff assay revealed that the binding between lymphocytes and PLN high endothelial venules was normal and that L-selectin and its ligand, peripheral node vascular addressin (PNAd), were expressed and functioned normally in DDD/1. These results taken together indicate that the T cell-specific homing into PLN is disturbed at a post-adhesion stage in DDD/1. The product of the plt locus may play a pivotal role at this stage.     

Expression of vascular adhesion protein-1 in normal and inflamed mice lungs and normal human lungs

Recently, vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) was implicated in adhesion and transmigration of lymphocytes across endothelial cells in liver and other organs. There is very little information on VAP-1 expression in normal and inflamed lungs. Therefore, we conducted a study to localize VAP-1 in normal mice and human lungs and in two distinct murine models of lung inflammation. Normal mice and human lungs revealed VAP-1 expression in the endothelium of large and mid-sized pulmonary vessels but not in alveolar septae, airway epithelium or blood cells. Mice that lack the lpr(-/-) gene and develop extensive lymphocytic infiltration in their lungs showed VAP-1 expression similar to the normal mice lungs. Mice subjected to cecal ligation and puncture developed acute lung inflammation and showed VAP-1 not only in endothelial cells but also in inflammatory cells in perivascular areas at 72 h after the procedure. We concluded that VAP-1 expression may contribute to the functional heterogeneity of endothelial cells within the lung to create distinct sites for the recruitment of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, since VAP-1 is expressed over a longer period of time in inflamed lungs, it may even be a suitable target for drug delivery and therapeutic manipulations.     

Developmental regulation of vascular addressin expression: a possible role for site-associated environments

Tissue selective traffic of lymphocytes into different lympholdorgans is mediated by adherence of blood borne lymphocytes tospecialized endothelial cells lining the high endothelial venules(HEV) in lymphoid organs. Lymphocytes discriminate between HEVin peripheral lymph nodes and in mucosal lymphold tissues bymeans of membrane associated lymphocyte homing receptors adheringto their putative HEV ligands, the vascular addressins. Theexpression of particular vascular addressins on HEV is site-or tissue-selective and may be directed by factors unique toa specific location or lymph node environment. In this studywe investigated the impact of regional environments on lymphnode HEV differentiation and function. Experimentally, thisproblem was approached by the transplantation of lymph nodesfrom one region to a second region. The sites selected for receiptof tissues were the mesentery, a mucosal site, and the poplitealfossa, a peripheral site. We found that the phenotype of lymphnode HEV following transplantation was influenced by both donorage and transplantation site. The transplantation site couldinfluence vascular addressin expression, when tissues were obtainedfrom late fetal or early neonatal donors and not when obtainedfrom adult donors. Transplanted adult tissues retained theirpre-transplantation vascular addressin expression phenotyperegardless of transplantation site. Thus the endothellum withinadult lymph nodes may be committed to expression of a particularaddressin or addressins during lymph node development. It isalso possible that regulatory cells or structures present withinlymph nodes at the time of transplantation direct vascular addressinexpression following tissue engraftment. These studies showthat regional environments of the lymph nodes could play a rolein HEV differentiation and function during lymph node development.     

Sulfated L-selectin ligands as a therapeutic target in chronic inflammation

The homing of lymphocytes to peripheral lymph nodes is initiated by an adhesive interaction between L-selectin on lymphocytes and peripheral node addressin (PNAd), a set of sialomucins displayed on high endothelial venules (HEVs) of lymph nodes. The monoclonal antibody MECA-79 reacts with the PNAd sialomucins by recognizing an N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-6-sulfated oligosaccharide, which overlaps with sialyl 6-sulfo Lewis X, the L-selectin recognition determinant. Two HEV-expressed sulfotransferases, GlcNAc6ST-1 and GlcNAc6ST-2, are essential for the expression of the MECA-79 epitope and L-selectin ligand activity on lymph-node HEVs. PNAd, as defined by MECA-79 staining, is also expressed on activated blood vessels at several sites of chronic inflammation. Recent evidence indicates that the same two sulfotransferases underlie the formation of functional PNAd at these sites. Experiments in a sheep model of asthma demonstrate that a chronic inflammatory disease can be ameliorated by targeting PNAd.     

Induction of vascular adhesion protein-1 during liver allograft rejection and concomitant cytomegalovirus infection in rats

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is an adhesion molecule controlling lymphocyte recirculation through high endothelial venules of the lymph nodes. It has also been shown to be induced and to mediate lymphocyte adhesion at sites of inflammation. We studied the expression of VAP-1 and two other inducible adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in our experimental model of rat liver allograft rejection and, in addition, the effect of concomitant rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) infection on this expression. Expression of VAP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 was studied in rat liver allografts with or without RCMV infection, isografts, and normal rat liver. Immunoperoxidase technique and monoclonal antibodies including a novel anti-VAP-1 reagent were used. VAP-1 expression was induced by acute rejection in sinusoids, hepatocytes, and also in bile ducts, when compared to the isografts or normal liver, where only blood vessels were consistently positive. Sinusoidal and hepatocyte expression of VAP-1 was prolonged by the presence of RCMV. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression was also induced by acute rejection. However, RCMV increased sinusoidal VCAM-1 expression compared to uninfected grafts. The present experimental study shows that VAP-1 is up-regulated in acute rejection of liver allografts, and that this up-regulation is prolonged by RCMV infection.     

Mouse Vascular Adhesion Protein 1 Is a Sialoglycoprotein with Enzymatic Activity and Is Induced in Diabetic Insulitis

The continuous recirculation of lymphocytes requires an adequate expression and function of the molecules mediating the cellular interactions between endothelium and lymphocytes. Human vascular adhesion protein 1 (hVAP-1) is an endothelial cell adhesion molecule that mediates the binding of lymphocytes to venules in peripheral lymph nodes as well as at sites of inflammation. Recently the mouse homologue of hVAP-1 has been cloned. It is a previously unknown molecule with a significant sequence identity to copper-containing amine oxidases. Besides the sequence, very little is known about the expression, structure, and function of mouse VAP-1 (mVAP-1). In this study we demonstrate that mVAP-1 is prominently expressed in endothelial and smooth muscle (but not in other types of muscle cells), as well as in adipocytes. mVAP-1 is a 220-kd homodimeric sialoglycoprotein that displays cell-type-specific differences in glycosylation. The expression of mVAP-1 is induced on inflammation in the vessels of the endocrine pancreas during the development of insulitis, and the up-regulation correlates with the extent of the lymphocytic infiltrate. In general, different mouse strains displayed very similar VAP-1 expression, but the small differences seen in liver and gut suggest that immunostimulation may modulate VAP-1 synthesis in extrapancreatic organs as well. Finally, we show that mVAP-1 has a monoamine oxidase activity against naturally occurring substrates, implying a role in the development of vasculopathies. These data show that mVAP-1 and hVAP-1 are very similar molecules that nevertheless have certain marked differences in expression, biochemical structure, and substrate specificity. Thus mVAP-1 is a novel inflammation-inducible mouse molecule that has a dual adhesive and enzymatic function.     

Two distinct lymphocyte homing systems involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases

Under normal and pathological conditions, lymphocyte migration into the gastrointestinal mucosa to form gut-associated lymphoid tissue is mediated by the L-selectin ligand peripheral lymph node addressin and the integrin α4β7 ligand mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1) expressed on high endothelial venules (HEVs) and HEV-like vessels. In this review, we discuss these two distinct lymphocyte homing systems involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases with reference to our and others’ previously published works. We also describe a recently developed recombinant integrin α4β7 heterodimeric IgG chimera that can be used as an immunohistochemical reagent to stain functional MAdCAM-1.