title: The beta 7 integrins in mucosal homing and retention.
abstract: Lymphocytes recirculate extensively throughout the body and then localize in tissues and lymphoid organs. This is accomplished by an array of adhesion molecules on lymphocytes and counter-receptors on the vascular endothelium, extracellular matrix and the epithelium. Recent studies have identified several of the specific molecular interactions that mediate lymphocyte trafficking. Lymphocytes expressing alpha 4 beta 7 home to the intestine through recognition of the mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) expressed on Peyer's patch high endothelial venules. T cells in nearly all mucosal epithelial sites express the alpha E beta 7 integrin which has been shown to mediate lymphocyte binding to epithelial cell E-cadherin. Thus, members of the B7 subfamily of integrins, alpha E beta 7 and alpha 4 beta 7, and their counter-receptors, are believed to play key roles in directing lymphocyte traffic to and retention in mucosal organs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Brenner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology*; D039641:Integrin beta Chains; D016023:Integrins; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa; D008214:Lymphocytes
chemical_list: D039641:Integrin beta Chains; D016023:Integrins; C091368:integrin beta7