A lymphocyte homing receptor (L-selectin) mediates the in vitro attachment of lymphocytes to myelinated tracts of the central nervous system.
Lymphocytes enter lymph nodes by first adhering to high endothelial venules, an adhesive event mediated by a lectinlike lymphocyte receptor (L-selectin). Previously, it was shown with an in vitro assay that lymphocytes preferentially adhere to myelin-rich regions in brain sections. Here, using a recombinant form of L-selectin as an immunohistochemical reagent, we demonstrate potential ligands for L-selectin in myelinated regions of the central but not the peripheral nervous system. Using several antibodies and phorbol ester downmodulation of the receptor, we establish that L-selectin on human lymphocytes has a primary involvement in lymphocyte adherence to the myelinated regions. On mouse lymphocytes, the contribution of L-selectin appears to be partial. These findings raise the possibility that leukocyte targeting to myelin-rich regions, via a L-selectin dependent mechanism, may be a factor in the pathogenesis of certain central nervous system demyelinating diseases.
Huang
K
K
Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0452.
Geoffroy
J S
JS
Singer
M S
MS
Rosen
S D
SD
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology*; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D019007:P-Selectin; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019007:P-Selectin; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D002118:Calcium