Ontogeny and induction of adhesion molecule expression in human fetal intestine.
In this study we examined the distribution of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin in human fetal intestine, to determine whether they may have a role in the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Secondly, we studied the tempo of induction of these molecules after T cell activation in explants of human fetal intestine cultured in vitro. In the fetus from 11 to 20 weeks gestation, endothelial expression of ICAM-1 and diffuse staining of VCAM-1 was observed in the lamina propria. In contrast, there was intense expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the developing Peyer's patches, suggesting that these molecules may be involved in the accumulation or organization of lymphoid tissue in the gut. After T cell activation in fetal intestinal explants, the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was increased on most endothelial cells, leucocytes, and stromal cells in the lamina propria. Expression was maintained for at least 4 days. In contrast, the induction of E-selectin was rapid, and the expression was transient, despite the continuing presence of activated T cells and macrophages. This suggests that other factors are required to prevent the down-regulation of E-selectin to maintain the sustained expression sometimes observed in vivo.
Doğan
A
A
Department of Histopathology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London, UK.
MacDonald
T T
TT
Spencer
J
J
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019040:E-Selectin; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology; D005333:Fetus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000196:embryology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1