title: Mechanisms of T cell organotropism.
abstract: Protective immunity relies upon T cell differentiation and subsequent migration to target tissues. Similarly, immune homeostasis requires the localization of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to the sites where immunity takes place. While naïve T lymphocytes recirculate predominantly in secondary lymphoid tissue, primed T cells and activated Tregs must traffic to the antigen rich non-lymphoid tissue to exert effector and regulatory responses, respectively. Following priming in draining lymph nodes, T cells acquire the 'homing receptors' to facilitate their access to specific tissues and organs. An additional level of topographic specificity is provided by T cells receptor recognition of antigen displayed by the endothelium. Furthermore, co-stimulatory signals (such as those induced by CD28) have been shown not only to regulate T cell activation and differentiation, but also to orchestrate the anatomy of the ensuing T cell response. We here review the molecular mechanisms supporting trafficking of both effector and regulatory T cells to specific antigen-rich tissues.
authors.affiliation: William Harvey Research Institute, Heart Centre, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
authors.forename: Hongmei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: William Harvey Research Institute, Heart Centre, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
authors.forename: Eleanor Jayne
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: William Harvey Research Institute, Heart Centre, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK. f.marelli-berg@qmul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Federica M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Marelli-Berg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
keywords: Homing receptors; Organotropism; T cell migration; T lymphocytes