Distribution of ICAM-3-bearing cells in normal human tissues. Expression of a novel counter-receptor for LFA-1 in epidermal Langerhans cells.
The LFA-1 integrin mediates its function in leukocyte intercellular interactions by recognition of at least one of its three identified counter-receptors, intercellular adhesion molecules 1 (ICAM-1), 2, and 3. The ICAM-1 molecule is expressed in an inducible-dependent manner by endothelial and epithelial cells, as well as by other cell types, including leukocytes. On the other hand, ICAM-2 is constitutively expressed mainly by endothelial cells. We have studied the tissue distribution of the ICAM-3 molecule by immunohistochemical staining of lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs. Only cells from the leukocyte lineage were found bearing the ICAM-3 antigen, showing a pattern of expression clearly distinct from those of ICAM-1 and ICAM-2. Interestingly, we have found that ICAM-3 is expressed by epidermal dendritic Langerhans cells as assessed by double immunostaining with antibodies specific for CD1. In contrast, staining of skin sections with anti-ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 antibodies showed an undetectable expression of these two molecules on Langerhans cells. However, CD1+ Langerhans cells localized in the paracortical area of dermatopathic lymph nodes expressed both ICAM-1 and ICAM-3 antigens. Our results indicate that ICAM-3 is the main LFA-1 counter-receptor in human resident epidermal Langerhans cells. ICAM-3 may have an important role in T-cell antigen stimulation driven by Langerhans cells during skin immune reactions.
Acevedo
A
A
Department of Pathology, Hospital de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
del Pozo
M A
MA
Arroyo
A G
AG
Sánchez-Mateos
P
P
González-Amaro
R
R
Sánchez-Madrid
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C483616:ICAM3 protein, human; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic