title: T-cell homing to the gut mucosa: general concepts and methodological considerations.
abstract: Effector/memory T cells can migrate to most extra-lymphoid tissues in the body. However, migration to the intestinal mucosa requires the expression of very specific homing receptors on T cells, integrin α4β7 and chemokine receptor CCR9. These receptors are induced by all-trans retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A metabolite that is specifically synthesized by gut-associated dendritic cells (DC), but not by extra-intestinal DC. Here we summarize some general concepts on T cell homing with an emphasis on the gut mucosa. We also discuss experimental strategies to generate gut-homing T cells in vivo and in vitro and the techniques to track gut-homing T cells.
authors: Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Jaime
authors: J
authors: De Calisto
authors: Eduardo J
authors: EJ
authors: Villablanca
authors: Sen
authors: S
authors: Wang
authors: Maria R
authors: MR
authors: Bono
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Rosemblatt
authors: J Rodrigo
authors: JR
authors: Mora
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing