Human T lymphocytes bind to germinal centers of human tonsils via integrin alpha4/VCAM-1 and LFA-1/ICAM-1 and -2.
Binding of T lymphocytes within the different compartments of the secondary lymphoid organs is crucial for the function of the cellular and the humoral immune response. It is still not known which adhesion molecules guide T cells to the distinct areas of the lymphoid microenvironment. In the current study an in situ adhesion assay was used to define the receptors for binding of T cells to human tonsils. The T cell lines Jurkat and MOLT-4 and normal, activated T cells were found to bind exclusively to germinal centers. Jurkat cells used the receptor pair integrin-alpha4 (VLA-4alpha)/VCAM-1, whereas activated MOLT-4 cells and normal T cells bound via both adhesion pathways, namely via integrin-alpha4/VCAM-1 and LFA-1/ICAM-1 and -2. It is suggested that these adhesion mechanisms are involved in the migration of T cells into the germinal centers of secondary lymphoid organs and that they influence the selection of B cells by apoptosis.
Schriever
F
F
Department of Hematology and Oncology, Virchow University Hospital, Humboldt Universität Berlin, Germany.
Korinth
D
D
Salahi
A
A
Lefterova
P
P
Schmidt-Wolf
I G
IG
Behr
S I
SI
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D039441:Integrin alpha4; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology*; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018821:CD18 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C065289:ICAM2 protein, human; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D016023:Integrins; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D039441:Integrin alpha4