Two different homing pathways involving integrin β7 and E-selectin significantly influence trafficking of CD4 cells to the genital tract following Chlamydia muridarum infection.
OBJECTIVE
Chlamydia trachomatis causes STI and reproductive dysfunction worldwide which is not preventable with antibiotics. Identifying a population of endocervical T cells to target in vaccine development would enhance efficacy.


METHODS
Trafficking of murine CD4+ lymphocytes to Chlamydia muridarum infected genital tract (GT) tissue in vivo was measured using adoptive transfer studies of fluorescent CD4+ T cells from integrin β7-/- mice or mice which lack E-selectin on endothelial cells.


RESULTS
Murine in vivo migration studies showed that lack of α4β7 or E-selectin significantly reduced trafficking of CD4 T cells to the GT of mice infected with C. muridarum.


CONCLUSIONS
CD4+ T cells use at least two different adhesive mechanisms involving an integrin of the mucosal homing pathway and selectin pathway to accumulate in the GT during C. muridarum infection.
Kelly
Kathleen A
KA
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1732, USA. kkelly@mednet.ucla.edu
Chan
Ann M
AM
Butch
Anthony
A
Darville
Toni
T
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D023502:Chlamydia muridarum / Q000276:immunology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D039641:Integrin beta Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout
D019040:E-Selectin; D039641:Integrin beta Chains; C091368:integrin beta7