In vitro adhesive interactions between rat lymphocytes and lacrimal gland acinar epithelium. Phenotype of adherent lymphocytes and involvement of adhesion molecules.
The selective interaction of trafficking lymphocytes with glandular epithelial cells is thought to link the lacrimal gland (LG) to the mucosal immune network. An in vitro binding assay was used to determine the phenotype of adherent cell populations and to study the involvement of lymphocyte adhesion molecules in the adherence process. Enriched B cell populations showed greater binding to LG epithelium than did enriched T cell populations. Direct phenotyping of adherent lymphocytes demonstrated that B lymphocytes (particularly IgA+ and IgG+ cells) were the predominant participants in LG binding. In vitro binding to LG acinar epithelium was inhibited by mAb with specificity for rat lymph node and Peyer's patch homing receptors and, to a lesser degree, by anti-VLA-4 and LFA-1 but not by anti-CD44 or Thy-1. In addition, the presence of rat lymph node and Peyer's patch homing receptors on endogenous LG lymphocytes was demonstrated by flow cytometry. These data show that B cells are the predominant population adhering to LG epithelium and suggest that lymphocyte homing receptors mediate the adherence process. These findings indicate that selective interactions between lymphocytes and the glandular epithelium contribute to the presence of IgA-producing cells in the LG.
O'Sullivan
N L
NL
Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201.
Skandera
C A
CA
Chin
Y H
YH
Montgomery
P C
PC
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000502:physiology; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000166:cytology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D005353:Fibronectins; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing