Sulfation-dependent recognition of high endothelial venules (HEV)- ligands by L-selectin and MECA 79, and adhesion-blocking monoclonal antibody

L-selectin is a lectin-like receptor that mediates the attachment of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV) of lymph nodes during the process of lymphocyte recirculation. Two sulfated, mucin-like glycoproteins known as Sgp50/GlyCAM-1 and Sgp90/CD34 have previously been identified as HEV-associated ligands for L-selectin. These proteins were originally detected with an L-selectin/Ig chimera called LEC-IgG. GlyCAM-1 and CD34 are also recognized by an antiperipheral node addressin (PNAd) mAb called MECA 79, which blocks L-selectin- dependent adhesion and selectively stains lymph node HEV. The present study compares the requirements for the binding of MECA 79 and LEC-IgG to HEV-ligands. Whereas desialylation of GlyCAM-1 and CD34 drastically reduced binding to LEC-IgG, this treatment enhanced the binding of GlyCAM-1 to MECA 79. In contrast, the binding of both MECA 79 and LEC- IgG to GlyCAM-1 and CD34 was greatly decreased when the sulfation of these ligands was reduced with chlorate, a metabolic inhibitor of sulfation. Because MECA 79 stains HEV-like vessels at various sites of inflammation, recognition by L-selectin of ligands outside of secondary lymphoid organs may depend on sulfation. In addition to their reactivity with GlyCAM-1 and CD34, both MECA 79 and LEC-IgG recognize an independent molecule of approximately 200 kD in a sulfate-dependent manner. Thus, this molecule, which we designate Sgp200, is an additional ligand for L-selectin.     

Vascular addressins are induced on islet vessels during insulitis in nonobese diabetic mice and are involved in lymphoid cell binding to islet endothelium.

In the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, lymphocytic and monocytic infiltration of the pancreatic islets leads to beta cell destruction. To investigate the mechanisms by which lymphocytes enter the NOD pancreas, pancreata were immunostained using monoclonal antibodies to a variety of adhesion molecules known to be involved in lymphocyte binding to vascular endothelium, an initial step in the migration of lymphocytes from blood into organized lymphoid and inflamed tissues. These adhesion molecules include: lymphocyte homing receptors involved in tissue-selective binding of lymphocytes to peripheral lymph node (L-selectin) or mucosal lymphoid tissue (LPAM-1, alpha 4 beta 7-integrin) high-endothelial venules (HEV); and HEV ligands peripheral vascular addressin (PNAd) and mucosal vascular addressin (MAdCAM-1). In NOD pancreata, alpha 4 beta 7 is expressed on most infiltrating cells at all stages of insulitis, whereas L-selectin expression is more pronounced on cells in the islets at later stages. During the development of insulitis, MAdCAM-1 and to a lesser extent PNAd became detectable on vascular endothelium adjacent to and within the inflamed islets. The Stamper-Woodruff in vitro assay was used to examine lymphoid cell binding to such vessels. These functional assays show that both the mucosal (MAdCAM-1/alpha 4 beta 7) and the peripheral (PNAd/L-selectin) recognition systems are involved in this binding. Our findings demonstrate that expression of peripheral and mucosal vascular addressins is induced on endothelium in inflamed islets in NOD pancreas, and that these addressins participate in binding lymphoid cells via their homing receptors. This suggests that these adhesion molecules play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes in these mice by being involved in the migration of lymphocytes from blood into the inflamed pancreas.     

GlyCAM-1, a physiologic ligand for L-selectin, activates beta 2 integrins on naive peripheral lymphocytes

Naive T cells are selectively recruited from the blood into peripheral lymph nodes during lymphocyte recirculation. L-selectin, a lectin-like receptor, mediates the initial attachment of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV) in lymph nodes. A subsequent step involving the activation of beta 2 integrins has been proposed to facilitate firm adhesion, but the activating signals are poorly understood. We report here that either antibody-mediated cross-linking of L-selectin on human lymphocytes or treatment of the cells with GlyCAM-1, an HEV-derived, secreted ligand for L-selectin, stimulates their binding to ICAM-1 through the beta 2 integrin pathway. Furthermore, GlyCAM-1 causes the rapid expression of a neoepitope on beta 2 integrins associated with a high-avidity state. Naive (CD45RA+), but not memory (CD45R0+) lymphocytes, respond to L-selectin cross-linking or GlyCAM-1 treatment. Thus, the complexing of L-selectin by specific ligands may provide key signals to naive lymphocytes, contributing to their selective recruitment into peripheral lymphoid organs.     

Induction and function of vascular adhesion protein-1 at sites of inflammation

Emigration of leukocytes from the blood into the tissues is critical in controlling lymphocyte patrolling in different lymphatic organs and in leukocyte accumulation at sites of inflammation. During the first stage of the extravasation process, leukocytes bind to the endothelial lining of vessels. At the molecular level, several adhesion molecules on leukocytes and endothelial cells function as receptor-ligand pairs in mediating this dynamic interaction. Recently, we have identified a novel human endothelial cell molecule, vascular adhesion protein 1 (VAP- 1), that mediates lymphocyte binding (Salmi, M., and S. Jalkanen. 1992. Science [Wash. DC] 257:1407). VAP-1 was initially characterized by mAb 1B2 which inhibits lymphocyte adhesion to high endothelial venules (HEV) and to purified VAP-1 protein. Here we report the location and function of VAP-1 in normal and inflamed tissues in humans. VAP-1 is abundant in HEV of lymphatic organs belonging to the peripheral lymph node system, but considerably less is expressed in vessels of mucosa- associated lymphatic tissues. A subset of venules in most normal nonlymphatic tissues like skin, brain, kidney, liver, and heart is also VAP-1 positive. In addition to vessels, VAP-1 is distributed on a few other cell types, most notably in dendritic-like cells of germinal centers. At sites of inflammation, such as in inflammatory bowel diseases and chronic dermatoses, expression of VAP-1 is clearly increased. The induced VAP-1 is functional, since mAb 1B2 inhibits lymphocyte binding to inflamed lamina propria venules by approximately 60%. Thus VAP-1 is an endothelial adhesion molecule that under normal conditions is expressed mainly in HEV of lymphatic tissues. However, expression of functional VAP-1 in vivo is upregulated during an inflammatory reaction at other sites as well. Inducibility of VAP-1 suggests that it may play a significant role, not only in recirculation of lymphocytes, but also in controlling entry of leukocytes into sites of inflammation.     

Circulating Activated Platelets Reconstitute Lymphocyte Homing and Immunity in L-selectin–Deficient Mice

Peripheral lymph nodes (PLN) are critical for immunologic memory formation in response to antigens that penetrate the skin. Blood-borne lymphocytes first encounter such antigens after they home to PLN through a multi-step adhesion process that is normally initiated by L-selectin (CD62L) in high endothelial venules (HEV). Since naive T cells can not enter PLN normally in L-selectin–deficient mice, a delayed type hypersensitivity response to cutaneously applied antigen cannot be mounted. In this study, we report that the administration of activated platelets into the systemic circulation of L-selectin knockout mice restores lymphocyte trafficking to PLN, and reconstitutes T cell–mediated immunity in response to a cutaneous antigen. These effects required platelet-expressed P-selectin that allows activated platelets to transiently form a bridge between lymphocytes and HEV, thereby enabling lymphocytes to undergo subsequent β2 integrin-dependent firm adhesion. These profound effects of platelet-mediated cell–cell interactions on lymphocyte trafficking and formation of immunologic memory may impact on a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.     

Identification of a soluble form of a ligand for the lymphocyte homing receptor

Lymphocytes are engaged in constant trafficking from the blood into secondary lymphoid tissues, such as peripheral lymph nodes (PLN), mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and Peyer's patches (PP). The initial step in this process is the binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV), and in the case of trafficking of cells to the PLN, it is required that they bear the L-selectin surface receptor. Using a chimeric protein, combining the extracellular domains of L-selectin with a human immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 Fc region (L-selectin-IgG), we have probed the expression of ligands for this receptor on HEV and in cell lysates. Two sulfated glycoproteins of 50 and 90 kD have been identified in lysates from PLN and MLN, but not PP. Here we show that the 50-kD molecule is secreted in organ cultures in vitro and is present in the blood of normal animals. Indeed, normal serum inhibits lymphocyte binding to HEV by approximately 50% in an in vitro assay. This inhibitory activity can be removed by passage of the serum over an L-selectin-IgG column and has a molecular mass of approximately 50 kD. We speculate on the possible reasons for secretion of a homing receptor ligand.     

Human vascular adhesion protein 1 (VAP-1) is a unique sialoglycoprotein that mediates carbohydrate-dependent binding of lymphocytes to endothelial cells

The regulated interactions of leukocytes with vascular endothelial cells are crucial in controlling leukocyte traffic between blood and tissues. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is a novel, human endothelial cell molecule that mediates tissue-selective lymphocyte binding. Two species (90 and 170 kD) of VAP-1 exist in lymphoid tissues. Glycosidase digestions revealed that the mature 170-kD form of VAP-1 expressed on the lumenal surfaces of vessels is a heavily sialylated glycoprotein. The sialic acids are indispensable for the function of VAP-1, since the desialylated form of VAP-1 no longer mediates lymphocyte binding. We also show that L-selectin is not required for binding of activated lymphocytes to VAP-1 under conditions of shear stress. The 90-kD form of VAP-1 was only seen in an organ culture model, and may represent a monomeric or proteolytic form of the larger species. These data indicate that L-selectin negative lymphocytes can bind to tonsillar venules via the VAP- 1-mediated pathway. Moreover, our findings extend the role of carbohydrate- mediated binding in lymphocyte-endothelial cell interactions beyond the known selectins. In conclusion, VAP-1 naturally exists as a 170-kD sialoglycoprotein that uses sialic acid residues to interact with its counter-receptors on lymphocytes under nonstatic conditions.     

Lymphocyte-HEV interactions in lymph nodes of a sulfotransferase-deficient mouse

The interaction of L-selectin expressed on lymphocytes with sulfated sialomucin ligands such as CD34 and GlyCAM-1 on high endothelial venules (HEV) of lymph nodes results in lymphocyte rolling and is essential for lymphocyte recruitment. HEC-GlcNAc6ST-deficient mice lack an HEV-restricted sulfotransferase with selectivity for the C-6 position of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). HEC-GlcNAc6ST-/- animals exhibit faster lymphocyte rolling and reduced lymphocyte sticking in HEV, accounting for the diminished lymphocyte homing. Isolated CD34 and GlyCAM-1 from HEC-GlcNAc6ST-/- animals incorporate approximately 70% less sulfate than ligands from wild-type animals. Furthermore, these ligands exhibit a comparable reduction of the epitope recognized by MECA79, a function-blocking antibody that reacts with L-selectin ligands in a GlcNAc-6-sulfate-dependent manner. Whereas MECA79 dramatically inhibits lymphocyte rolling and homing to lymph nodes in wild-type mice, it has no effect on HEC-GlcNAc6ST-/- mice. In contrast, in vitro rolling on purified GlyCAM-1 from HEC-GlcNAc6ST-/- mice, although greatly diminished compared with that on the wild-type ligand, is inhibited by MECA79. Our results demonstrate that HEC-GlcNAc6ST contributes predominantly, but not exclusively, to the sulfation of HEV ligands for L-selectin and that alternative, non-MECA79-reactive ligands are present in the absence of HEC-GlcNAc6ST.     

Regulation of leukocyte rolling and adhesion to high endothelial venules through the cytoplasmic domain of L-selectin

L-selectin (leukocyte adhesion molecule 1/MEL-14), a member of the selectin family of cell adhesion molecules, mediates leukocyte rolling and leukocyte adhesion to endothelium at sites of inflammation. In addition, L-selectin mediates the binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV) of peripheral lymph nodes. The strong amino acid sequence conservation of the cytoplasmic domain of L-selectin between humans and mice suggests an important role for this region. Deletion of the COOH-terminal 11 amino acids from the approximately 17 amino acid cytoplasmic domain of L-selectin eliminated binding of lymphocytes to HEV in the in vitro frozen section assay, and also abolished leukocyte rolling in vivo in exteriorized rat mesenteric venules, but did not alter the lectin activity of L-selectin. Pretreatment of cells with cytochalasin B, which disrupts actin microfilaments, also abolished adhesion without affecting carbohydrate recognition. Therefore, the cytoplasmic domain of L-selectin regulates leukocyte adhesion to endothelium independent of ligand recognition, by controlling cytoskeletal interactions and/or receptor avidity.     

Anti-CD43 Inhibition of T Cell Homing

The homing of lymphocytes from the blood is controlled by specialized processes of lymphocyte–endothelial cell interaction. Interference with these processes offers the potential to manipulate lymphocyte traffic, and thus to modulate normal and pathologic immune and inflammatory responses. We selected antilymphocyte monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for inhibition of lymphocyte binding in vitro to lymph node high endothelial venules (HEV), specialized vessels that support lymphocyte recruitment into lymph nodes. mAb L11 blocks T cell binding to lymph node and Peyer's patch HEV and inhibits T cell extravasation from the blood into organized secondary lymphoid tissues. In contrast, L11 has no effect on lymphocyte binding to purified vascular ligands for L-selectin, α4β7, or LFA-1, suggesting that it inhibits by a novel mechanism. The L11 antigen is CD43, a sialomucin implicated in vitro in regulation of lymphocyte activation, whose expression is often dysregulated in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. CD43 represents a novel target for experimental and therapeutic manipulation of lymphocyte traffic and may help regulate T cell distribution in vivo.     

Identification of Podocalyxin-like Protein as a High Endothelial Venule Ligand for L-selectin: Parallels to CD34

The leukocyte adhesion molecule, L-selectin, mediates the recruitment of lymphocytes to secondary lymphoid organs via interactions with specific ligands presented on high endothelial venules (HEV). Although the HEV-derived ligands for L-selectin are still incompletely defined, they share a common sialomucin-like structure which is thought to present clustered oligosaccharides to the lectin domain of L-selectin. Podocalyxin-like protein (PCLP) is a transmembrane sialomucin that is similar in structure to the well-characterized L-selectin ligand CD34. PCLP has been shown previously to be expressed on the foot processes of podocytes in the kidney glomerulus as well as on vascular endothelium at some sites. We have determined that PCLP is present on HEV, where it binds to both recombinant L-selectin and the HEV-specific monoclonal antibody MECA-79. Furthermore, purified HEV-derived PCLP is able to support the tethering and rolling of lymphocytes under physiological flow conditions in vitro. These results suggest a novel function for PCLP as an adhesion molecule and allow the definition of conserved structural features in PCLP and CD34, which may be important for L-selectin ligand function.     

Entry of naive CD4 T cells into peripheral lymph nodes requires L- selectin

Binding of L-selectin expressed on lymphocytes to carbohydrate ligand(s) on lymph node high endothelial venules is thought to initiate lymphocyte extravasation from blood to lymph during recirculation and localization to sites of antigen (Ag) exposure. Previous studies have shown that treatment of lymphocytes with antibody to L-selectin (MEL- 14) ablates trafficking to peripheral lymph nodes (PLN). In mice, naive but not memory CD4 cells express L-selectin. To examine the role of L- selectin in helper T cell migration, we studied the effects of in vivo administration of MEL-14 on CD4 cell responses. Systemic exposure of mice to MEL-14 depleted CD4 cells expressing a naive phenotype (CD45RBhi, CD44lo) from PLN but not from spleen. The majority of residual lymph node CD4 cells exhibited the reciprocal, memory phenotype (CD45RBlo, CD44hi). MEL-14 treatment prevented priming of naive CD4 cells for proliferation and cytokine production (IL-2 and IL- 4) to keyhole limpet hemocyanin in PLN draining the site of Ag injection, but not in the spleen. The results suggest that naive cells were not depleted, but rather diverted to other sites where priming occurred. The data demonstrate that L-selectin mediates extravasation of naive CD4 cells into PLN and that its function cannot be replaced by other homing receptors.     

Lymphocyte homing to bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) is mediated by L-selectin/PNAd,alpha4beta1 integrin/VCAM-1, and LFA-1 adhesion pathways

Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) participates in airway immune responses. However, little is known about the lymphocyte-endothelial adhesion cascades that recruit lymphocytes from blood into BALT. We show that high endothelial venules (HEVs) in BALT express substantial levels of VCAM-1, in marked contrast to HEVs in other secondary lymphoid tissues. BALT HEVs also express the L-selectin ligand PNAd. Anti-L-selectin, anti-PNAd, and anti-LFA-1 mAbs almost completely block the homing of B and T lymphocytes into BALT, whereas anti-alpha4 integrin and anti-VCAM-1 mAbs inhibit homing by nearly 40%. alpha4beta7 integrin and MAdCAM-1 are not involved. Importantly, we found that mAbs against alpha4 integrin and VCAM-1 significantly block the migration of total T cells (80% memory phenotype) but not naive T and B cells to BALT. These results suggest that an adhesion cascade, which includes L-selectin/PNAd, alpha4beta1 integrin/VCAM-1, and LFA-1, targets specific lymphocyte subsets to BALT. This high level of involvement of alpha4beta1 integrin/VCAM-1 is unique among secondary lymphoid tissues, and may help unify lymphocyte migration pathways and immune responses in BALT and other bronchopulmonary tissues.     

Cloning of Vascular Adhesion Protein 1 Reveals a Novel Multifunctional Adhesion Molecule

Vascular adhesion protein 1 (VAP-1) is a human endothelial sialoglycoprotein whose cell surface expression is induced under inflammatory conditions. It has been shown previously to participate in lymphocyte recirculation by mediating the binding of lymphocytes to peripheral lymph node vascular endothelial cells in an L-selectin–independent fashion. We report here that the VAP-1 cDNA encodes a type II transmembrane protein of 84.6 kD with a single transmembrane domain located at the NH₂-terminal end of the molecule and six potential N-glycosylation sites in the extracellular domain. In vivo, the protein exists predominantly as a homodimer of 170–180 kD. Ax endothelial cells transfected with a VAP-1 cDNA express VAP-1 on their cell surface and bind lymphocytes, and the binding can be partially inhibited with anti–VAP-1 mAbs. VAP-1 has no similarity to any currently known adhesion molecules, but has significant identity to the copper-containing amine oxidase family and has a monoamine oxidase activity. We propose that VAP-1 is a novel type of adhesion molecule with dual function. With the appropriate glycosylation and in the correct inflammatory setting, its expression on the lumenal endothelial cell surface allows it to mediate lymphocyte adhesion and to function as an adhesion receptor involved in lymphocyte recirculation. Its primary function in other locations where it is expressed, such as smooth muscle, may depend on its inherent monoamine oxidase activity.     

Dual binding capacity of mucosal immunoblasts to mucosal and synovial endothelium in humans: dissection of the molecular mechanisms

Lymphocytes continuously migrate throughout the body in search of antigens. Virgin lymphocytes recirculate freely between the blood and different lymphatic organs, whereas immunoblasts extravasate preferentially into sites similar to those where they initially responded to antigen. Tissue-specific extravasation of lymphocytes is largely controlled by distinct lymphocyte surface receptors that mediate lymphocyte binding to high endothelial venules (HEV). In the present study, the molecular mechanisms determining the specificity of human mucosal (lamina propria) lymphocyte binding to different endothelial recognition systems were analyzed. Mucosal immunoblasts adhered five times better than small mucosal lymphocytes to mucosal HEV. Importantly, mucosal immunoblasts also bound to synovial HEV almost as efficiently as to mucosal HEV, but they did not adhere to peripheral lymph node HEV. To study the impact of different homing- associated molecules in this dual endothelial binding, we used a gut- derived T cell line and freshly isolated mucosal immunoblasts. Both cell types expressed integrins alpha 4, beta 1, beta 7, and lymphocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1), and were CD44 positive, but practically L-selectin negative. Binding of mucosal immunoblasts to mucosal HEV was almost completely abolished by pretreatment with anti- beta 7 monoclonal antibodies, but it was independent of alpha 4/beta 1 function. In contrast, alpha 4/beta 1 partially mediated immunoblast adherence to synovial HEV, whereas alpha 4/beta 7 had only a minor role in adherence of blasts at this site. CD44 and LFA-1 contributed to HEV- binding both in mucosa and synovium. Taken together, this is the first report that demonstrates a critical role for alpha 4/beta 7 in the binding of gut lymphocytes to mucosal venules in humans. Moreover, a hitherto unknown interaction between mucosal effector cells and synovial endothelial cells was shown to be only partially mediated by the currently known homing receptors. The dual endothelial binding capacity of mucosal blasts may help to explain the pathogenesis of reactive arthritis not uncommonly associated with inflammatory and infectious bowel disease.     

Sulfation of a high endothelial venule-expressed ligand for L-selectin. Effects on tethering and rolling of lymphocytes.

During lymphocyte homing, L-selectin mediates the tethering and rolling of lymphocytes on high endothelial venules (HEVs) in secondary lymphoid organs. The L-selectin ligands on HEV are a set of mucin-like glycoproteins, for which glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1 (GlyCAM-1) is a candidate. Optimal binding in equilibrium measurements requires sulfation, sialylation, and fucosylation of ligands. Analysis of GlyCAM-1 has revealed two sulfation modifications (galactose [Gal]-6-sulfate and N-acetylglucosamine [GlcNAc]-6-sulfate) of sialyl Lewis x. Recently, three related sulfotransferases (keratan sulfate galactose-6-sulfotransferase [KSGal6ST], high endothelial cell N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfotransferase [GlcNAc6ST], and human GlcNAc6ST) were cloned, which can generate Gal-6-sulfate and GlcNAc-6-sulfate in GlyCAM-1. Imparting these modifications to GlyCAM-1, together with appropriate fucosylation, yields enhanced rolling ligands for both peripheral blood lymphocytes and Jurkat cells in flow chamber assays as compared with those generated with exogenous fucosyltransferase. Either sulfation modification results in an increased number of tethered and rolling lymphocytes, a reduction in overall rolling velocity associated with more frequent pausing of the cells, and an enhanced resistance of rolling cells to detachment by shear. All of these effects are predicted to promote the overall efficiency of lymphocyte homing. In contrast, the rolling interactions of E-selectin transfectants with the same ligands are not affected by sulfation.     

Nepmucin, a novel HEV sialomucin, mediates L-selectin-dependent lymphocyte rolling and promotes lymphocyte adhesion under flow

Lymphocyte trafficking to lymph nodes (LNs) is initiated by the interaction between lymphocyte L-selectin and certain sialomucins, collectively termed peripheral node addressin (PNAd), carrying specific carbohydrates expressed by LN high endothelial venules (HEVs). Here, we identified a novel HEV-associated sialomucin, nepmucin (mucin not expressed in Peyer's patches [PPs]), that is expressed in LN HEVs but not detectable in PP HEVs at the protein level. Unlike conventional sialomucins, nepmucin contains a single V-type immunoglobulin (Ig) domain and a mucin-like domain. Using materials affinity-purified from LN lysates with soluble L-selectin, we found that two higher molecular weight species of nepmucin (75 and 95 kD) were decorated with oligosaccharides that bind L-selectin as well as an HEV-specific MECA-79 monoclonal antibody. Electron microscopic analysis showed that nepmucin accumulates in the extended luminal microvillus processes of LN HEVs. Upon appropriate glycosylation, nepmucin supported lymphocyte rolling via its mucin-like domain under physiological flow conditions. Furthermore, unlike most other sialomucins, nepmucin bound lymphocytes via its Ig domain, apparently independently of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 and very late antigen 4, and promoted shear-resistant lymphocyte binding in combination with intercellular adhesion molecule 1. Collectively, these results suggest that nepmucin may serve as a dual-functioning PNAd in LN HEVs, mediating both lymphocyte rolling and binding via different functional domains.     

Ectopic LT alpha beta directs lymphoid organ neogenesis with concomitant expression of peripheral node addressin and a HEV-restricted sulfotransferase

Lymph node (LN) function depends on T and B cell compartmentalization, antigen presenting cells, and high endothelial venules (HEVs) expressing mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM-1) and peripheral node addressin (PNAd), ligands for naive cell entrance into LNs. Luminal PNAd expression requires a HEV-restricted sulfotransferase (HEC-6ST). To investigate LT alpha beta's activities in lymphoid organogenesis, mice simultaneously expressing LT alpha and LT beta under rat insulin promoter II (RIP) control were compared with RIPLT alpha mice in a model of lymphoid neogenesis and with LT beta-/- mice. RIPLT alpha beta pancreata exhibited massive intra-islet mononuclear infiltrates that differed from the more sparse peri-islet cell accumulations in RIPLT alpha pancreata: separation into T and B cell areas was more distinct with prominent FDC networks, expression of lymphoid chemokines (CCL21, CCL19, and CXCL13) was more intense, and L-selectin+ cells were more frequent. In contrast to the predominant abluminal PNAd pattern of HEV in LT beta-/- MLN and RIPLT alpha pancreatic infiltrates, PNAd was expressed at the luminal and abluminal aspects of HEV in wild-type LN and in RIPLT alpha beta pancreata, coincident with HEC-6ST. These data highlight distinct roles of LT alpha and LT alpha beta in lymphoid organogenesis supporting the notion that HEC-6ST-dependent luminal PNAd is under regulation by LT alpha beta.     

Molecular Mechanisms of Lymphocyte Homing to Peripheral Lymph Nodes

To characterize the adhesion cascade that directs lymphocyte homing to peripheral lymph nodes (PLNs), we investigated the molecular mechanisms of lymphocyte interactions with the microvasculature of subiliac lymph nodes. We found that endogenous white blood cells and adoptively transferred lymph node lymphocytes (LNCs) tethered and rolled in postcapillary high endothelial venules (HEVs) and to a lesser extent in collecting venules. Similarly, firm arrest occurred nearly exclusively in the paracortical HEVs. Endogenous polymorphonuclear (PMNs) and mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs) attached and rolled in HEVs at similar frequencies, but only MNLs arrested suggesting that the events downstream of primary rolling interactions critically determine the specificity of lymphocyte recruitment. Antibody inhibition studies revealed that L-selectin was responsible for attachment and rolling of LNCs, and that LFA-1 was essential for sticking. LFA-1–dependent arrest was also abolished by pertussis toxin, implicating a requirement for Gα_i−-protein–linked signaling. α4 integrins, which play a critical role in lymphocyte homing to Peyer's Patches, made no significant contribution to attachment, rolling, or sticking in resting PLNs. Velocity analysis of interacting LNCs revealed no detectable contribution by LFA-1 to rolling. Taken together, our results suggest that lymphocyte– HEV interactions within PLNs are almost exclusively initiated by L-selectin followed by a G protein–coupled lymphocyte-specific activation event and activation-induced engagement of LFA-1. These events constitute a unique adhesion cascade that dictates the specificity of lymphocyte homing to PLNs.     

Vascular endothelium and lymphocyte adhesion molecules in minor salivary glands of patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

The aim of this study was to examine the distribution and types of adhesion molecules expressed over endothelial cells and the ligands present on lymphocytes which infiltrate exocrine glands in patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Minor salivary gland biopsies were examined from twelve patients with Sjogren's syndrome and eight normal subjects for the presence of adhesion molecules using monoclonal antibodies and an Indirect Immunoperoxidase technique. There was an increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54) on endothelial cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts and salivary gland epithelial cells. In addition we documented the expression of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) on endothelial cells in salivary glands from patients but not the controls. Many of the endothelial cells expressing these adhesion molecules in patients with Sjogren's syndrome had the morphological appearance of high endothelial venules. V-CAM-1 was shown to be present in some of the salivary biopsies from patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Lymphocytes infiltrating salivary glands strongly express LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) molecules. Some infiltrating lymphocytes, and most monocytes, expressed C3bi-R (CD11b/CD18) and the p150.95 (CD11c/CD18) antigens on their cell surface. The results of this study reveal the enhanced expression of vascular endothelial and lymphocyte adhesion molecules on the minor salivary glands of patients with Sjogren's syndrome. The presence of such receptors and their putative ligands indicate an important role for these molecules in the pathogenesis of Sjogren's syndrome.