Up-regulation of alphaEbeta7, a novel integrin adhesion molecule, on T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients with specific epithelial involvement.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the possible role of a novel integrin, alphaEbeta7, in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Expression of alphaEbeta7 was examined on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from normal subjects (n = 25) and patients with SLE (n = 31), primary Sjogren's syndrome (n = 7), or polymyositis/dermatomyositis (n = 8) by cytofluorometry and/or immunoprecipitation. Adhesion of alphaEbeta7+ T cells to HSG epithelial cells was investigated using a confocal image analyzer.


RESULTS
After phytohemagglutinin stimulation, expression of alphaEbeta7 on PBL, especially on CD8+ T cells, was significantly higher in SLE patients than in normal subjects (P<0.01). Elevated alphaEbeta7 expression was associated with the presence of oral ulcers or serositis (P<0.05). Activated SLE T cells with enhanced alphaEbeta7 expression strongly adhered to HSG; this adhesion was partially blocked by anti-alphaEbeta7.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression and adhesion of alphaEbeta7 on activated PBL was significantly increased in patients with SLE with epithelial involvement. This suggests a role of this novel integrin in tissue-specific retention of activated PBL, due to increased alphaEbeta7-E-cadherin interaction, which may contribute to epithelial inflammation.
Saitama Medical School, Kawagoe, Japan.
M
M
Pang
T
T
Abe
T
T
Fujihara
S
S
Mori
K
K
Tsuzaka
K
K
Amano
J
J
Koide
T
T
Takeuchi
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D012700:Serositis / Q000209:etiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; C091367:alpha E integrins