The gut associated addressins: lymphocyte homing in the gut.
The process of lymphocyte trafficking is mainly regulated by receptors that belong to a group of molecules referred to as adhesion molecules. These molecules can be divided, according to their molecular structure, into three broad families: the integrins; the selectins; and the immunoglobulin superfamily members. The alpha 4 beta 7 integrin is expressed on some lymphocytes with hallmarks of gut tropism. alpha 4 beta 7, among others, serves as a ligand for the mucosal vascular addressin MadCAM-1, which is selectively expressed on mucosal lymphoid organ high endothelial venules and on gut lamina propria venules. It is tempting to believe that related integrin receptors play a crucial role in the recirculation of activated lymphocytes between the gut mucosa and the synovial membrane.
De Keyser
F
F
Department of Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Elewaut
D
D
De Wever
N
N
Bensbaho
K
K
Cuvelier
C
C
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009088:Mucoproteins; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000276:immunology*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C069886:L-selectin counter-receptors; C504265:MADCAM1 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009088:Mucoproteins; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing