Adhesion molecule phenotype of T lymphocytes in inflamed CNS.
The phenotype of T cells in the central nervous system (CNS) in two models of chronic inflammation (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and Corynebacterium parvum-induced inflammation) was compared to that of T cells in gut and chronically inflamed subcutaneous tissue and lung. CNS T cells display a similar phenotype in both inflammatory models, and are phenotypically unique compared to T cells from the other inflamed tissues. T cells from inflamed CNS are mainly CD4+ and are the only population examined that express a typical activated/memory phenotype: CD44high/LFA-1high/ICAM-1high/CD45RBlow. The CNS T cells are alpha4beta7-integrin(negative), but express alpha4-integrin and activated beta1 integrin, suggesting expression of the alpha4beta1-heterodimer in an activated state. In contrast, most T cells in gut express low levels of activated beta1 integrin. The CNS T cells lack expression of alpha6 and alphaE integrin chains and L-selectin. In inflamed CNS and inflamed subcutaneous tissue, approximately 50% of T cells express high affinity ligands for P-selectin while fewer than 10% express high affinity ligands for E-selectin. In summary, our data show that, independent of the inflammatory stimulus, T cells recruited into the inflamed CNS are phenotypically distinct from T cells in other inflamed tissues. This finding leads us to hypothesize the existence of a phenotypically distinct 'CNS-seeking' T lymphocyte population.
Engelhardt
B
B
Max-Planck-Institut für physiologische und klinische Forschung, Bad Nauheim, Germany. bengelh@alpha.kerckhoff.mpg.de
Martin-Simonet
M T
MT
Rott
L S
LS
Butcher
E C
EC
Michie
S A
SA
D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D019007:P-Selectin; D019041:L-Selectin