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.     

Vascular Adhesion Protein 1 (VAP-1) Mediates Lymphocyte Subtype-specific, Selectin-independent Recognition of Vascular Endothelium in Human Lymph Nodes

Interactions between lymphocyte surface receptors and their ligands on vascular endothelial cells regulate the exit of lymphocytes from the circulation. Distinct subsets of mononuclear cells bind to high endothelial venules (HEVs) in different lymphoid organs to a different extent, but the molecular mechanisms behind this selectivity have remained poorly characterized. Here we show that vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) mediates subtype-specific binding of CD8-positive T cells and natural killer cells to human endothelium. VAP-1–dependent, oligosaccharide-dependent peripheral lymph node (PLN) HEV adhesion under shear was independent of L-selectin, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, and α4 integrins, the known lymphocyte receptors involved in the initial recognition of endothelial cells. PLN HEV adhesion was also critically dependent on peripheral lymph node vascular addressins (PNAds), but lymphocyte L-selectin was absolutely required for PNAd binding. Most lymphocytes relied on both PNAd and VAP-1 in HEV binding. The overlapping function of L-selectin ligands and VAP-1 in PLN introduces a new control point into the lymphocyte extravasation process. Finally, intravital microscopy revealed that VAP-1 is involved in initial interactions between human lymphocytes and endothelial cells in inflamed rabbit mesenterial venules in vivo. In conclusion, VAP-1 is a novel contact-initiating ligand that discriminates between different subpopulations of mononuclear cells and is an appealing target for selective modulation of adhesion of CD8- and CD16-positive effector cells.     

Macrophages, T cell receptor usage, and endothelial cell activation in the pancreas at the onset of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Current knowledge of the phenotype of mononuclear cells accumulating in pancreatic islets in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and factors determining their homing into the pancreas is limited. Therefore, a pancreas obtained at the onset of IDDM was studied in detail. Cryostat sections were stained for mononuclear cell types, T cell receptor subtypes, and adhesion molecules of vascular endothelium and studied by immunofluorescence microscopy, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were phenotyped using flow cytometry. Monocytes/macrophages (lysozyme- or CD 14-reactive cells) were identified among other mononuclear cell types in islet infiltrates. V beta 8-positive T cells were overrepresented, but T cells with other V beta s studied (V beta 5, V beta 5.1, V beta 6, V beta 12) were also found. The vascular endothelium of the islets and many small vessels nearby islets strongly expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1, whereas vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin were totally absent. We conclude: (a) that increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on vascular endothelium may increase endothelial adhesion of mononuclear cells and enhance their accumulation in the pancreas during diabetic insulitis; (b) that T cells with certain T cell receptors can be enriched in infiltrated pancreatic islets; and (c) that macrophages and antigen-specific CD 8-positive T cells are involved in pancreatic beta cell destruction at the onset of IDDM.     

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.     

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.     

Mannose receptor is a novel ligand for L-selectin and mediates lymphocyte binding to lymphatic endothelium

Continuous lymphocyte recirculation between blood and lymphoid tissues forms a basis for the function of the immune system. Lymphocyte entrance from the blood into the tissues has been thoroughly characterized, but mechanisms controlling lymphocyte exit from the lymphoid tissues via efferent lymphatics have remained virtually unknown. In this work we have identified mannose receptor (MR) on human lymphatic endothelium and demonstrate its involvement in binding of lymphocytes to lymphatic vessels. We also show that the binding requires L-selectin, and L-selectin and MR form a receptor-ligand pair. On the other hand, L-selectin binds to peripheral lymph node addressins (PNAds) on high endothelial venules (HEVs) that are sites where lymphocytes enter the lymphatic organs. Interestingly, MR is absent from HEVs and PNAds from lymphatic endothelium. Thus, lymphocyte L-selectin uses distinct ligand molecules to mediate binding at sites of lymphocyte entrance and exit within lymph nodes. Taken together, interaction between L-selectin and MR is the first molecularly defined mechanism mediating lymphocyte binding to lymphatic endothelium.     

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.     

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.     

B lymphocyte binding to E- and P-selectins is mediated through the de novo expression of carbohydrates on in vitro and in vivo activated human B cells.

Cell adhesion to endothelium regulates the trafficking and recruitment of leukocytes towards lymphoid organs and sites of inflammation. This phenomenon is mediated by the expression of a number of adhesion molecules on both the endothelium and circulating cells. Activation of endothelial cells (EC) with different stimuli induces the expression of several adhesion molecules (E- and P-selectins, ICAM-1, VCAM-1), involved in their interaction with circulating cells. In this report, we have studied the binding of nonactivated and activated B cells to purified E- and P-selectins. Activated but not resting B cells were able to interact with both selectins. This binding capacity of activated B cells paralleled the induction of different carbohydrate epitopes (Lewisx, sialyl-Lewisx, CD57 and CDw65) as well as other molecules bearing these or related epitopes in myeloid cells (L-selectin, alpha L beta 2 and alpha X beta 2 integrins, and CD35) involved in the interaction of different cell types with selectins. B cells infiltrating inflamed tissues like in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also expressed these selectin-binding carbohydrates in parallel with the expression of E-selectin by surrounding follicular dendritic cells. Moreover, the crosslinking of these selectin-binding epitopes resulted in an increased binding of B cells to different integrin ligands. Thus, in addition to the involvement of integrins, E- and P-selectins could play an important role in the interaction of B lymphocytes with the endothelium during B cell extravasation into lymphoid tissues and inflammatory foci as well as in their organization into lymphoid organs.     

Homing of mucosal leukocytes to joints. Distinct endothelial ligands in synovium mediate leukocyte-subtype specific adhesion.

Inflammation and infection of the gut can be followed by reactive arthritis at a distant joint. Leukocyte recruitment into synovium is essential for this process, but nothing is known about the endothelial adhesion molecules in synovial membrane which direct the homing of activated, gut-derived leukocytes to joints. Here we analyzed the expression of the known endothelial adhesion molecules in inflamed synovium and their function in binding of mucosal leukocytes. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1/CD54) and vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) were most prominently expressed in synovial vessels. All other adhesion molecules were found at lower levels in inflamed synovia, except mucosal addressin which was absent. Binding of macrophages isolated from lamina propria of the gut to synovial endothelium was almost entirely P-selectin-dependent. In contrast, small intestinal lymphocytes and immunoblasts both relied mainly on VAP-1 in recognition of synovial vessels. Thus, endothelial P-selectin and VAP-1 mediate binding of mucosal effector cells to synovium in a leukocyte subtype-selective manner. Antiadhesive therapy against these inducible molecules should ablate the pathogenetic cascade leading to inappropriate homing of leukocytes to joints in arthritis.     

Gene therapy to target dendritic cells from blood to lymph nodes

Peripheral lymph nodes (PLN) are strategic microenvironments where antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DC), loaded with environmental antigens, and naive lymphocytes meet to initiate immune responses. The unique capacity of DC to induce primary immune responses has led to their use in clinical medicine; however, delivering DC to lymph nodes is problematic. Intravenously injected DC cannot access to PLN, while DC injected into tissue migrate inefficiently through lymphatics to PLN. We achieved DC targeting to T-cell areas of PLN by endowing DC with a novel receptor for peripheral node addressin (PNAd), an adhesion molecule present on the lymph node venular endothelium. This novel receptor is a chimeric E/L-selectin (ELS) that, we have previously shown, binds to PNAd. DC were genetically modified by retroviral transduction to express ELS. ELS expression was targeted to tips of microvilli, and mediated rolling of DC on PNAd both in vivo and in vitro. Such genetically engineered DC could extravasate directly from blood through the lymph node endothelium as opposed to nontransduced DC. This study provides evidence that the trafficking of DC can be modified using gene transfer technologies. More efficient delivery of DC to PLN should assist the development of improved vaccination strategies.     

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.     

Aberrant activation of integrin alpha4beta7 suppresses lymphocyte migration to the gut

Integrin adhesion molecules mediate lymphocyte migration and homing to normal and inflamed tissues. While the ligand-binding activity of integrins is known to be modulated by conformational changes, little is known about how the appropriate balance of integrin adhesiveness is maintained in order to optimize the migratory capacity of lymphocytes in vivo. In this study we examined the regulation of the gut homing receptor alpha4beta7 integrin by manipulating at the germline level an integrin regulatory domain known as adjacent to metal ion-dependent adhesion site (ADMIDAS). ADMIDAS normally serves to raise the activation threshold of alpha4beta7, thereby stabilizing it in the default nonadhesive state. Lymphocytes from knockin beta7 (D146A) mice, which harbor a disrupted ADMIDAS, not only expressed an alpha4beta7 integrin that persistently adhered to mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), but also exhibited perturbed cell migration along MAdCAM-1 substrates resulting from improper de-adhesion of the lymphocyte trailing edge. In vivo, aberrantly activated alpha4beta7 enhanced adhesion to Peyer's patch venules, but suppressed lymphocyte homing to the gut, diminishing the capacity of T cells to induce colitis. Our results underscore the importance of a proper balance in the adhesion and de-adhesion of the alpha4beta7 integrin, both for lymphocyte trafficking to the gut and for colitis progression.     

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.     

Amelioration of murine experimental colitis by inhibition of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1

Mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) is an adhesion molecule that mediates recruitment of lymphocytes into the gut mucosa. Attenuation of excessive expression of MAdCAM-1 in the inflamed mucosa could be useful for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody has a prophylactic effect on experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Colitis was induced by orally feeding BALB/c mice 5% DSS (mol. wt. 5000). Mice were sacrificed at intervals up to 21 days after administration to evaluate the changes over time in intestinal damage. The infiltrating lymphocytes and their subpopulations, and the expression of cell adhesion molecules were determined by immunohistochemistry. In another set of experiments, the attenuating effect of i.p.-injected anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody on colonic lesions was evaluated on day 14. Significant histological damage with shortening of crypts was observed on day 14 in colonic mucosa of DSS-treated mice. Before mucosal inflammation had become significant, expression of MAdCAM-1 was already increased in the microvessels of lamina propria on day 7. Significant infiltration of beta7-integrin-positive T and B cells in the mucosa was then noted on day 14. Administration of anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody significantly reduced colonic injury as well as the infiltration of beta7-integrin-positive lymphocytes in the colonic mucosa. This antibody also was effective when given 7 days after the start of DSS treatment. In the present study, we demonstrated that anti-MAdCAM-1 antibody significantly ameliorates DSS-induced colitis, suggesting that MAdCAM-1 may be useful for control of inflammatory bowel diseases.     

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.     

Molecular basis for leukocyte integrin alpha(E)beta(7) adhesion to epithelial (E)-cadherin

Cadherins are expressed in tissue-restricted patterns and typically mediate homophilic adhesion. Cadherins also mediate lymphocyte adhesion, providing the opportunity for lymphocyte attachment to parenchymal cells. The best characterized example of lymphocyte adhesion to a tissue-specific cell adhesion molecule, as opposed to a vascular endothelial adhesion molecule, is the interaction between integrin alpha(E)beta(7) on intraepithelial lymphocytes and E-cadherin on epithelial cells. However, the molecular basis for an integrin-cadherin interaction is not well defined. Realization that the cadherin domain adopts a topology similar to the immunoglobulin (Ig) fold suggested that integrin recognition of E-cadherin might be similar to recognition of Ig superfamily ligands. Thus, we modeled domain 1 of human E-cadherin and studied the role of solvent-exposed loops that connect Ig-like core-forming beta strands. Mutational analyses localized the integrin alpha(E)beta(7) recognition site to the top of domain 1 at the face formed by the BC and FG loops, a site distinct from the region recognized in intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, -2, and -3, mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and fibronectin by their integrin ligands. Moreover, the integrin alpha(E)beta(7) binding site is distinct from the homophilic binding site on E-cadherin. These studies provide a conceptual basis for integrin-cadherin binding and extend the model that an Ig-like fold can serve as a scaffold for recognition.     

Lymphocyte migration in lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1-deficient mice

Using lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1(-/-) mice, we have examined the role of LFA-1 and other integrins in the recirculation of lymphocytes. LFA-1 has a key role in migration to peripheral lymph nodes (pLNs), and influences migration into other LNs. Second, the alpha4 integrins, alpha4beta7 and alpha4beta1, have a hitherto unrecognized ability to compensate for the lack of LFA-1 in migration to pLNs. These findings are confirmed using normal mice and blocking LFA-1 and alpha4 monoclonal antibodies. Unexpectedly, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, which is essential in inflammatory responses, serves as the ligand for the alpha4 integrins on pLN high endothelial venules. VCAM-1 also participates in trafficking into mesenteric LNs and Peyer's patch nodes where mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1), the alpha4beta7-specific ligand, dominates. Both alpha4beta1, interacting with ligand VCAM-1, and also LFA-1 participate in substantial lymphocyte recirculation through bone marrow. These observations suggest that organ-specific adhesion receptor usage in mature lymphocyte recirculation is not as rigidly adhered to as previously considered, and that the same basic sets of adhesion receptors are used in both lymphocyte homing and inflammatory responses.     

Regulation of L-Selectin–mediated Rolling through Receptor Dimerization

L-selectin binding activity for its ligand expressed by vascular endothelium is rapidly and transiently increased after leukocyte activation. To identify mechanisms for upregulation and assess how this influences leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions, cell-surface dimers of L-selectin were induced using the coumermycin–GyrB dimerization strategy for cross-linking L-selectin cytoplasmic domains in L-selectin cDNA-transfected lymphoblastoid cells. Coumermycin- induced L-selectin dimerization resulted in an approximately fourfold increase in binding of phosphomanan monoester core complex (PPME), a natural mimic of an L-selectin ligand, comparable to that observed after leukocyte activation. Moreover, L-selectin dimerization significantly increased (by ∼700%) the number of lymphocytes rolling on vascular endothelium under a broad range of physiological shear stresses, and significantly slowed their rolling velocities. Therefore, L-selectin dimerization may explain the rapid increase in ligand binding activity that occurs after leukocyte activation and may directly influence leukocyte migration to peripheral lymphoid tissues or to sites of inflammation. Inducible oligomerization may also be a common mechanism for rapidly upregulating the adhesive or ligand-binding function of other cell-surface receptors.