The human peripheral lymph node vascular addressin is a ligand for LECAM-1, the peripheral lymph node homing receptor

The trafficking of lymphocytes from the blood and into lymphoid organs is controlled by tissue-selective lymphocyte interactions with specialized endothelial cells lining post capillary venules, in particular the high endothelial venules (HEV) found in lymphoid tissues and sites of chronic inflammation. Lymphocyte interactions with HEV are mediated in part by lymphocyte homing receptors and tissue-specific HEV determinants, the vascular addressins. A peripheral lymph node addressin (PNAd) has been detected immunohistologically in mouse and man by monoclonal antibody MECA-79, which inhibits lymphocyte homing to lymph nodes and lymphocyte binding to lymph node and tonsillar HEV. The human MECA-79 antigen, PNAd, is molecularly distinct from the 65-kD mucosal vascular addressin. The most abundant iodinated species by SDS-PAGE is 105 kD. When affinity isolated and immobilized on glass slides, MECA-79 immunoisolated material binds human and mouse lymphocytes avidly in a calcium dependent manner. Binding is blocked by mAb MECA-79, by antibodies against mouse or human LECAM-1 (the peripheral lymph node homing receptor, the MEL-14 antigen, LAM-1), and by treatment of PNAd with neuraminidase. Expression of LECAM-1 cDNA confers PNAd binding ability on a transfected B cell line. We conclude that LECAM-1 mediates lymphocyte binding to PNAd, an interaction that involves the lectin activity of LECAM-1 and carbohydrate determinants on the addressin.     

Evolutionary conservation of tissue-specific lymphocyte-endothelial cell recognition mechanisms involved in lymphocyte homing

Tissue-specific interactions with specialized high endothelial venules (HEV) direct the homing of lymphocytes from the blood into peripheral lymph nodes, mucosal lymphoid organs, and tissue sites of chronic inflammation. These interactions have been demonstrated in all mammalian species examined and thus appear highly conserved. To assess the degree of evolutionary divergence in lymphocyte-HEV recognition mechanisms, we have studied the ability of lymphocytes to interact with HEV across species barriers. By using an in vitro assay of lymphocyte binding to HEV in frozen sections of lymphoid tissues, we confirm that mouse, guinea pig, and human lymphocytes bind to xenogeneic as well as homologous HEV. In addition, we show that mouse and human lymphoid cell lines that bind selectively to either peripheral lymph node or mucosal vessels (Peyer's patches, appendix) in homologous lymphoid tissues exhibit the same organ specificity in binding to xenogeneic HEV. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies that recognize lymphocyte "homing receptors" and block homologous lymphocyte binding to peripheral lymph node or to mucosal HEV, also inhibit lymphocyte interactions with xenogeneic HEV in a tissue-specific fashion. Similarly, anti-HEV antibodies against organ-specific mouse high endothelial cell "addressins" involved in lymphocyte homing to peripheral lymph node or mucosal lymphoid organs, not only block the adhesion of mouse lymphocytes but also of human lymphocytes to target mouse HEV. The results illustrate a remarkable degree of functional conservation of elements mediating these cell-cell recognition events involved in organ-specific lymphocyte homing.     

Expression of low levels of peripheral lymph node-associated vascular addressin in mucosal lymphoid tissues: possible relevance to the dissemination of passaged AKR lymphomas

Lymphoid tumors display a wide variety of growth patterns in vivo, from that of a solitary extralymphoid tumor, to a general involvement of all lymphoid organs. Normal lymphocytes are uniquely mobile cells continuously recirculating between blood and lymph throughout much of their life cycle. Therefore, it is reasonable to propose that disseminating malignant lymphocytes may express recirculation characteristics or homing properties consistent with that of their normal lymphoid counterparts. Trafficking of lymphocytes involves the expression and recognition of both lymphocyte homing receptors and their opposing receptors on endothelium, the vascular addressins. These cell surface elements direct the tissue-selective localization of lymphocyte subsets in vivo into organized lymphoid organs and sites of chronic inflammation where specific binding events occur between lymphocytes and the endothelium of specialized high endothelial venules (HEV). In a recent murine study of 13 lymphoma lines, we found that lymphomas that bind well to high endothelial venules, in the Stamper-Woodruff in vitro assay (an assay of lymphocyte binding to venules in frozen sections of peripheral lymph nodes or Peyer's patches), spread hematogenously to all high endothelial venule bearing lymphoid organs, whereas non-binding lymphomas did not. In some cases lymphomas that bound with a high degree of selectivity to peripheral lymph node (PLN) high endothelial venules exhibited only limited organ preference of metastasis, involving the mucosal lymphoid organs Peyer's patches (PP) in addition to the peripheral lymph nodes of adoptive recipients. Here we demonstrate that Peyer's patch high endothelial venules express a low but functional level of peripheral lymph node addressin (MECA-79) that can be recognized by lymphomas expressing the peripheral lymph node homing receptor (MEL-14 antigen).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Requirement for sialic acid on the endothelial ligand of a lymphocyte homing receptor

The entry of blood-borne lymphocytes into most secondary lymphoid organs is initiated by a highly specific adhesive interaction with the specialized cuboidal endothelial cells of high endothelial venules (HEV). The adhesive receptors on lymphocytes that dictate interactions with HEV in different lymphoid organs are called homing receptors, signifying their critical role in controlling organ-selective lymphocyte migration. Considerable work has established that the mouse peripheral lymph node homing receptor (pnHR), defined by the mAb MEL- 14, functions as a lectin-like adhesive protein. We have previously shown that sialidase treatment of peripheral lymph node (PN) HEV abrogates lymphocyte attachment to the HEV both in vivo and in vitro. We extend this evidence by demonstrating that Limax agglutinin (LA), a sialic acid-specific lectin, when reacted with HEV exposed in cryostat- cut tissue sections, blocks lymphocyte attachment to PN HEV and, unexpectedly, to the HEV of Peyer's patches (PP) as well. Using a recombinant form of the pnHR as a histochemical probe for its cognate adhesive site (HEV-ligand) on PN HEV, we demonstrate that both sialidase and Limax agglutinin functionally inactive this ligand. It is concluded that the requirement for sialic acid is at the level of the pnHR interaction with its HEV ligand. A distinct sialyloligosaccharide may encode the recognition determinant of a PP HEV ligand.     

Immunohistologic and functional characterization of a vascular addressin involved in lymphocyte homing into peripheral lymph nodes

The tissue localization or "homing" of circulating lymphocytes is directed in part by specialized vessels that define sites of lymphocyte exit from the blood. In peripheral lymph nodes, mucosal lymphoid tissues (Peyer's patches and appendix), and sites of chronic inflammation, for example, lymphocytes leave the blood by adhering to and migrating between those endothelial cells lining postcapillary high endothelial venules (HEV). Functional analyses of lymphocyte interactions with HEV have shown the lymphocytes can discriminate between HEV in different tissues, indicating that HEV express tissue-specific determinants or address signals for lymphocyte recognition. We recently described such a tissue-specific "vascular addressin" that is selectively expressed by endothelial cells supporting lymphocyte extravasation into mucosal tissues and that appears to be required for mucosa-specific lymphocyte homing (Streeter, P. R., E. L. Berg, B. N. Rouse, R. F. Bargatze, and E. C. Butcher. 1988. Nature (Lond.). 331:41-46). Here we document the existence and tissue-specific distribution of a distinct HEV differentiation antigen. Defined by monoclonal antibody MECA-79, this antigen is expressed at high levels on the lumenal surface and in the cytoplasm of HEV in peripheral lymph nodes. By contrast, although MECA-79 stains many HEV in the mucosal Peyer's patches, expression in most cases is restricted to the perivascular or ablumenal aspect of these venules. In the small intestine lamina propria, a mucosa-associated site that supports the extravasation of lymphocytes, venules do not stain with MECA-79. Finally, we demonstrate that MECA-79 blocks binding of both normal lymphocytes and a peripheral lymph node-specific lymphoma to peripheral lymph node HEV in vitro and that it also inhibits normal lymphocyte homing to peripheral lymph nodes in vivo without significantly influencing lymphocyte interactions with Peyer's patch HEV in vitro or in vivo. Thus, MECA-79 defines a novel vascular addressin involved in directing lymphocyte homing to peripheral lymph nodes.     

Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue: phenotypic and functional evidence for the primary role of peripheral node addressin in naive lymphocyte adhesion to high endothelial venules in a mucosal site.

Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), a mucosal inductive site for the upper respiratory tract, is important for the development of mucosal immunity locally and distally to intranasally introduced Ag. To more fully understand the induction of nasal mucosal immunity, we investigated the addressins that allow for lymphocyte trafficking to this tissue. To investigate the addressins responsible for naive lymphocyte binding, immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase staining of frozen NALT sections were performed using anti-mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), anti-peripheral node addressin (PNAd), and anti-VCAM-1 mAbs. All NALT high endothelial venules (HEV) expressed PNAd, either associated with MAdCAM-1 or alone, whereas NALT follicular dendritic cells expressed both MAdCAM-1 and VCAM-1. These expression profiles were distinct from those of the gut mucosal inductive site, Peyer's patches (PP). The functionality of NALT HEV was determined using a Stamper-Woodruff ex vivo assay. The anti-L-selectin MEL-14 mAb blocked >90% of naive lymphocyte binding to NALT HEV, whereas the anti-MAdCAM-1 mAb, which blocks almost all naive lymphocyte binding to PP, minimally blocked binding to NALT HEV. NALT lymphocytes exhibited a unique L-selectin expression profile, differing from both PP and peripheral lymph nodes. Finally, NALT HEV were found in increased amounts in the B cell zones, unlike PP HEV. These results suggest that NALT is distinct from the intestinal PP, that initial naive lymphocyte binding to NALT HEV involves predominantly L-selectin and PNAd rather than alpha4beta7-MAdCAM-1 interactions, and that MAdCAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressed by NALT follicular dendritic cells may play an important role in lymphocyte recruitment and retention.     

Lymphoid tissue- and inflammation-specific endothelial cell differentiation defined by monoclonal antibodies

Endothelial cells play an essential role in immune responses by regulating the entry of leukocytes into lymphoid tissues and sites of inflammation. As an initial approach to analyzing endothelial cell specialization in relation to such immune function, we have produced monoclonal antibodies (MAB) against mouse lymph node endothelium. Three antibodies were selected: MECA-20, recognizing the endothelium of all blood vessels in lymphoid as well as non-lymphoid organs; MECA-217, which stains the endothelium lining large elastic arteries, but among small vessels is specific for post-capillary venules within lymphoid organs and tissues exposed to exogenous antigen, such as skin and uterus; and MECA-325, an antibody that demonstrates specificity for the specialized high endothelial venules (HEV) that control lymphocyte homing into lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. MECA-325 failed to stain vessels in any non-lymphoid organs tested. Immunoperoxidase studies of HEV in lymph node frozen sections, and of isolated high endothelial cells in suspensions, demonstrated that the antigens recognized by all three antibodies are expressed at the cell surface; those defined by MECA-20 and MECA-325 are also present in the cytoplasm. To study the regulation of the antigens defined by these MAB in relation to extra-lymphoid immune reactions, we assessed their expression in induced s.c. granulomas as a model for chronic inflammation. Small vessels in the granulomas were already stained by MECA-217 in the first days of development. In contrast MECA-325 detected postcapillary venules (which frequently displayed the morphologic characteristics of HEV) only from approximately 1 wk, in parallel with the development of a persistent mononuclear cell infiltrate including numerous lymphocytes. The selective appearance of the MECA-325 antigen on vascular endothelium supporting lymphocyte traffic in both lymphoid and extra-lymphoid sites suggests that this antigen may play an important role in the process of lymphocyte extravasation. The demonstration of lymphoid organ- and inflammation-specific microvascular antigens offers direct evidence for a complex specialization of endothelium in relation to immune stimuli, and supports the concept that microvascular differentiation may play an important role in local immune responses.     

Sulphated endothelial ligands for L-selectin in lymphocyte homing and inflammation

Lymphocytes from the blood home to secondary lymphoid tissues through a process of tethering, rolling, firm adhesion and transmigration. Tethering and rolling of lymphocytes is mediated by the interaction of L-selectin on lymphocytes with sulphated ligands expressed by the specialized endothelial cells of high endothelial venules (HEVs). The sulphate-dependent monoclonal antibody MECA79 stains HEVs in peripheral lymph nodes and recognizes the complex of HEV ligands for L-selectin termed peripheral node addressin. High endothelial cell GlcNAc-6-sulphotransferase/L-selectin ligand sulphotransferase is a HEV-expressed sulphotransferase that contributes to the formation of the MECA79 epitope and L-selectin ligands on lymph node HEVs. MECA79-reactive vessels are also common at sites of chronic inflammation, suggesting mechanistic parallels between lymphocyte homing and inflammatory trafficking.     

Lymphocyte recognition of high endothelium: antibodies to distinct epitopes of an 85-95-kD glycoprotein antigen differentially inhibit lymphocyte binding to lymph node, mucosal, or synovial endothelial cells

The tissue-specific homing of lymphocytes is directed by specialized high endothelial venules (HEV). At least three functionally independent lymphocyte/HEV recognition systems exist, controlling the extravasation of circulating lymphocytes into peripheral lymph nodes, mucosal lymphoid tissues (Peyer's patches or appendix), and the synovium of inflamed joints. We report here that antibodies capable of inhibiting human lymphocyte binding to one or more HEV types recognize a common 85-95-kD lymphocyte surface glycoprotein antigen, defined by the non-blocking monoclonal antibody, Hermes-1. We demonstrate that MEL-14, a monoclonal antibody against putative lymph node "homing receptors" in the mouse, functionally inhibits human lymphocyte binding to lymph node HEV but not to mucosal or synovial HEV, and cross-reacts with the 85-95-kD Hermes-1 antigen. Furthermore, we show that Hermes-3, a novel antibody produced by immunization with Hermes-1 antigen isolated from a mucosal HEV-specific cell line, selectively blocks lymphocyte binding to mucosal HEV. Such tissue specificity of inhibition suggests that MEL-14 and Hermes-3 block the function of specific lymphocyte recognition elements for lymph node and mucosal HEV, respectively. Recognition of synovial HEV also involves the 85-95-kD Hermes-1 antigen, in that a polyclonal antiserum produced against the isolated antigen blocks all three classes of lymphocyte-HEV interaction. From these studies, it is likely that the Hermes-1-defined 85-95-kD glycoprotein class either comprises a family of related but functionally independent receptors for HEV, or associates both physically and functionally with such receptors. The findings imply that related molecular mechanisms are involved in several functionally independent cell-cell recognition events that direct lymphocyte traffic.     

Lymphocyte adhesion to cultured Peyer's patch high endothelial venule cells is mediated by organ-specific homing receptors and can be regulated by cytokines

Adhesion of lymphocytes to high endothelial venule (HEV) cells is the first step in the migration of these cells from blood into lymph nodes and Peyer's patches (PP). In the present study, we isolated and cultured HEV cells from PP of the rat and assessed their capacity to interact with lymphocytes. Flow cytometric analysis with a rat HEV-specific mAb KJ-4 revealed that greater than 90% of the cultured cells were stained by the antibody. Furthermore, confluent monolayers of PP HEV cells retained the capacity to support the adhesion of lymphocytes from spleen, thoracic duct, and lymph nodes but not binding of immature cells from thymus and bone marrow, which are deficient in cells capable of binding to HEV in vivo. In addition, intraepithelial lymphocytes that preferentially migrated into mucosal lymphoid tissues were also enriched in cells that adhered to the endothelial monolayers. The binding process required energy, was calcium-dependent, and could be inhibited by cytochalasin D, trypsin, and mixed glycosidase. Interestingly, pretreatment of PP HEV cells with rTNF, IFN-gamma, or granulocyte-macrophage CSF significantly increased the endothelial adhesiveness for thoracic duct lymphocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, stimulation of lymphocytes with phorbol ester or TNF resulted in the rapid modulation of the surface expression of the PP homing receptor and decrease in lymphocyte binding to normal or TNF-stimulated HEV cells. The adhesion of lymphocytes to normal or cytokine-stimulated HEV cells can be blocked by pretreatment of lymphocytes, but not HEV cells, with the PP homing receptor-specific 1B.2.6 antibody. Taken together, these experiments provide strong evidence that the interaction between lymphocytes and cultured HEV cells are mediated by adhesive mechanisms that regulate lymphocyte entry into PP in vivo and that cytokines can promote HEV adhesiveness for lymphocytes through increased expression of organ-specific ligands on HEV cells.     

Identification of a carbohydrate-based endothelial ligand for a lymphocyte homing receptor

Lymphocyte attachment to high endothelial venules within lymph nodes is mediated by the peripheral lymph node homing receptor (pnHR), originally defined on mouse lymphocytes by the MEL-14 mAb. The pnHR is a calcium-dependent lectin-like receptor, a member of the LEC-CAM family of adhesion proteins. Here, using a soluble recombinant form of the homing receptor, we have identified an endothelial ligand for the pnHR as an approximately 50-kD sulfated, fucosylated, and sialylated glycoprotein, which we designate Sgp50 (sulfated glycoprotein of 50 kD). Recombinant receptor binding to this lymph node-specific glycoprotein requires calcium and is inhibitable by specific carbohydrates and by MEL-14 mAb. Sialylation of the component is required for binding. Additionally, the glycoprotein is precipitated by MECA-79, an adhesion-blocking mAb reactive with lymph node HEV. A related glycoprotein of approximately 90 kD (designated as Sgp90) is also identified.     

Demonstration that a lectin-like receptor (gp90MEL) directly mediates adhesion of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules of lymph nodes

Lymphocyte migration from the blood into most secondary lymphoid organs is initiated by a highly selective adhesive interaction with the endothelium of specialized blood vessels known as high endothelial venules (HEV). The propensity of lymphocytes to migrate to particular lymphoid organs is known as lymphocyte homing, and the receptors on lymphocytes that dictate interactions with HEV at particular anatomical sites are designated "homing receptors". Based upon antibody blockade experiments and cell-type distribution studies, a prominent candidate for the peripheral lymph node homing receptor in mouse is the approximately 90-kD cell surface glycoprotein (gp90MEL) recognized by the monoclonal antibody MEL-14. Previous work, including sequencing of a cDNA encoding for this molecule, supports the possibility that gp90MEL is a calcium-dependent lectin-like receptor. Here, we show that immunoaffinity-purified gp90MEL interacts in a sugar-inhibitable manner with sites on peripheral lymph node HEV and prevents attachment of lymphocytes. Lymphocyte attachment to HEV in Peyer's patches, a gut-associated lymphoid organ, is not affected by gp90MEL. The results demonstrate that gp90MEL, as a lectin-like receptor, directly bridges lymphocytes to the endothelium.     

Differences in in vivo distribution and homing of T cell subsets to mucosal vs nonmucosal lymphoid organs

The migratory properties of Lyt-2- and Lyt-2+ T cells in the mouse have been investigated. In short-term in vivo homing studies, Lyt-2- T cells localized consistently more efficiently than Lyt-2+ T cells in Peyer's patches (about 1.5 times as well), whereas both populations localized roughly equivalently in peripheral lymph nodes. These homing characteristics of Lyt-2- and Lyt-2+ subsets are largely independent of their organ source. The specificity of migration appears to be determined by selective recognition of organ-specific determinants on the endothelial cells of high endothelial venules (HEV), specialized venules that mediate the exit of migrating lymphocytes from the blood: In an in vitro assay of lymphocyte binding to HEV in lymphoid organ frozen sections, Lyt-2- cells constituted a significantly and consistently greater proportion of T cells binding to Peyer's patch HEV than of those binding to peripheral node HEV. The homing and HEV recognition preferences of the Lyt subsets are reflected in differences in their in situ representation in mucosal vs nonmucosal lymphoid organs, which suggests that the selective migration of these populations may be an important factor in determining the character of local immune responses.     

High endothelial venules of the lymph nodes express Fas ligand.

Fas (CD95, APO-1) is widely expressed on lymphatic cells, and by interacting with its natural ligand (Fas-L), Fas induces apoptosis through a complex caspase cascade. In this study we sought to survey Fas-L expression in vascular and sinusoidal structures of human reactive lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical Fas-L expression was present in all paracortical high endothelial venules (HEVs), in cells lining the marginal sinus wall, and in a few lymphocytes, but only occasionally in non-HEV vascular endothelium. In the paracortical zone over 60% of all vessels and all paracortical HEVs showed Fas-L expression, whereas in the medullary zone less than 10% of the blood vessels were stained with Fas-L. Normal vessels outside lymph nodes mostly showed no Fas-L expression. We show that in human reactive lymph nodes Fas-L expression is predominantly present in HEVs. Because the circulating lymphocytes gain entry to nodal parenchyma by transendothelial migration through HEVs, the suggested physiological importance of Fas-L expression in these vessels lies in the regulation of lymphocyte access to lymph node parenchyma by possibly inducing Fas/Fas-L mediated apoptosis of activated Fas-expressing lymphoid cells. The Fas-L expressing cells in the marginal sinus might have a similar function for cells accessing the node in afferent lymph.     

Homing of germinal-center cells into germinal centers of lymph node via afferent lymphatics

Summary Affinity of lymphoid cells for the microenvironment of germinal centers (GC), as detectable in transfer experiments by rapid homing in spleen GC from the blood, is a capacity expressed by only a subset of lymphoid cells, in particular by those constituting a GC. However, when introduced into the blood stream, these cells do not home into GC of lymph nodes and gut-associated lymphoid tissues. To investigate further this homing inability for high endothelial venule (HEV)-containing lymphoid tissues, GC cells isolated from donor rabbit appendix were labeled in vitro with ³H-leucine and injected into an afferent lymph vessel of recipient popliteal lymph nodes. Draining lymph nodes were removed 15 min to 24 h after cell administration and prepared for radioautography. For reference, the migration of cells isolated from Peyer's patches and thoracic duct lymph was also studied. By use of appendix GC cells, large numbers of labeled cells were found to migrate into GCs of the outer cortex centripetally, i.e., from the subcapsular sinus through the lymphocyte corona into the GC proper. The same was observed for cells from Peyer's patches, although in smaller numbers. Thoracic duct lymphocytes were only localized in the lymphocyte corona and the deep cortex. Thus, appendix GC cells and a subpopulation of cells from Peyer's patches can reach lymph node GC, but only when administered intralymphatically. We conclude that cells expressing affinity for the GC microenvironment do so for both spleen and lymph node GC, but do not have the capacity to interact with the wall of HEV; its implication for the understanding of the dynamics of a GC reaction is discussed.Abbreviations GC germinal center - GCC germinal-center cells - AGCC appendix germinal-center cells - GCPC germinal-center precursor cells - GCSC germinal-center seeking cells - HEV high endothelial venules - SRBC sheep red blood cells - PP Peyer's patch - TDL thoracic duct lymphocytes - NCS newborn calf serum - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - PNA peanut agglutinin - LN lymph node - LC lymphocyte corona - DC deep cortex unit     

Calcein: a novel marker for lymphocytes which enter lymph nodes.

Previous studies have identified unique cell surface antigens which are associated with the specific binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV). Evidence is presented in this paper which demonstrates that uptake of the fluorescent dye calcein by lymphocytes represents an additional marker for the lymph node homing subpopulation of lymphocytes. Calcein exhibits a characteristic ability to label lymphocytes differentially into two distinct populations, based on fluorescence intensity, that does not occur with three other structurally related, fluorescein-based dyes. In vivo lymphocyte migration studies revealed that cells displaying the "dull" fluorescence phenotype, although entering all lymphoid organs examined, preferentially homed to the lymph nodes, particularly the popliteal lymph node (PLN). By contrast, lymphocytes displaying the "bright" phenotype were essentially excluded from entering lymphoid organs, where entry is HEV dependent, but were observed entering spleen, where entry is HEV independent. Furthermore, a high proportion (76.5%) of lymphocytes displaying the dull fluorescence phenotype expressed the PLN homing receptor MEL-14. Based on these observations it is suggested that calcein uptake may be a marker for general membrane properties, such as fluidity and plasticity, essential for the passage of lymphocytes through HEV.     

The lymphatic system in body homeostasis: physiological conditions

The lymphatic system is an organized network composed of functionally interrelated lymphoid tissue, and transportation pathways of tissue fluid/lymph and lymphoid cells. Its main components are 1. migrating dendritic cells, macrophages and lymphocytes, organized lymphoid tissue such as lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissue in gut and lungs, liver lymphoid cells, and the dendritic cell network of nonlymphoid organs; 2. vessels (intercellular space, lymphatics, and perivascular spaces); 3. fluids (tissue fluid and lymph). The lymphatic system can be divided into the following compartments: peripheral (from the interstitial space to and within the nearest lymph node), and central (efferent lymphatics, cysterna chyli, and thoracic duct, all lymphoid organs). Organs and tissues with the most active afferent arm of the lymphatic system are skin, gut, and lungs. These are the body structures exposed to the external environment. All other nonlymphoid bodily tissues are also percolated by tissue fluid/lymph, and contain a network of dendritic cells and macrophages. Data obtained from normal human subjects on lymph composition and flow are presented. Future trends in lymphatic research are outlined.     

Alterations in lymphocyte homing patterns within mice exposed to ultraviolet radiation

This report presents the results of an investigation designed to establish whether exposure of mice to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is capable of influencing the factors that control the distribution of lymphoid cells in vivo. We found that such exposure resulted in a dramatic and long-lasting increase in the tropism of peripheral lymph nodes for circulating lymphoid cells. Termination of UVR exposure did not result in a reversal of this phenomenon. Since an increase in lymphocyte migration into the lymph nodes of UVR-exposed mice was apparent within 2 hr of infusion of the radiolabeled cells, we conclude that the homing assay data reflect a relatively increased binding of circulating lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV) within the lymph nodes of irradiated animals. A histologic analysis of skin from UVR-exposed mice established that the dermal microvasculature had expanded in terms of size and number of vessels, a condition that also does not completely reverse after the termination of treatments. In spite of the increase in dermal microvasculature, very few inflammatory cells were detected in the irradiated skin site. These observations support our conclusion that the enhanced traffic of lymphocytes into peripheral lymph nodes of UVR-exposed mice occurs primarily via lymphocyte-HEV interactions rather than afferent drainage of the irradiated skin.     

In Situ Analysis of Lymphocyte Migration to Lymph Nodes

Blood-borne lymphocytes migrate continuously to peripheral lymph nodes (PLN) and other organized lymphoid tissues where they are most likely to encounter their cognate antigen. Lymphocyte homing to PLN is a highly regulated process that occurs exclusively in specialized high endothelial venules (HEV) in the nodal paracortex. Recently, it has become possible to explore this vital aspect of peripheral immune surveillance by intravital microscopy of the subiliac lymph node microcirculation in anesthetized mice. This paper reviews technical and experimental aspects of the new model and summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lymphocyte homing to PLN which were derived from its use. Both lymphocytes and granulocytes initiate rolling interactions via L-selectin binding to the peripheral node addressin (PNAd) in PLN HEV. Subsequently, a G protein-coupled chemoattractant stimulus activates LEA-1 on rolling lymphocytes, but not on granulocytes. Thus. granulocytes continue to roll through the PLN, whereas LEA-I activation allows lymphocytes to arrest and emigrate into the extravascular compartment. We have also identified a second homing pathway that allows L-selectin low/(activated/memory) lymphocytes to home to PLN. P-selectin on circulating activated platelets can mediate simultaneous platelet adhesion to PNAd in HEV and to P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL)-l on lymphocytes. Through this mechanism, platelets can form a cellular bridge which can effectively substitute for the loss of L-selectin on memory cell subsets.     

Migration patterns of dendritic cells in the rat: comparison of the effects of gamma and UV-B irradiation on the migration of dendritic cells and Lymphocytes

To further define the underlying mechanisms of immune suppression induced by UV-B irradiation, we have examined the kinetics of homing patterns of in vitro UV-B-irradiated and gamma-irradiated-thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) compared to dendritic cells (DC). Our findings show that 111In-oxine-labeled TDL specifically home to the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, and bone marrow with subsequent recirculation of a large number of cells from the spleen to lymph nodes. In contrast, DC preferentially migrate to the spleen and liver with a relatively insignificant distribution to lymph nodes and an absence of subsequent recirculation. Splenectomy prior to cell injection significantly diverts the spleen-seeking DC to the liver but not to the lymph nodes, while the homing of TDL to lymph nodes is significantly increased. In vitro exposure of 111In-oxine labeled TDL to gamma irradiation does not significantly impair immediate homing to lymphoid tissues but inhibits cell recirculation between 3 and 24 hr. In contrast, gamma irradiation does not affect the tissue distribution of labeled DC, suggesting that DC are more radioresistant to gamma irradiation than TDL. Unlike the findings in animals injected with gamma-irradiated cells, UV-B irradiation virtually abolished the homing of TDL to lymph nodes and significantly reduced the homing of the spleen-seeking DC to the splenic compartment while a large number of cells were sequestered in the liver. The results of in vitro cell binding assay show that TDL, unlike DC, have the capacity to bind to high endothelial venules (HEV) within lymph node frozen sections while gamma and UV-B irradiation significantly inhibit the binding of TDL to lymph node HEV. These findings suggest that: (i) DC, unlike TDL, are unable to recirculate from blood to lymph nodes through HEV; (ii) although gamma irradiation impairs TDL recirculation, it does not affect DC tissue distribution; and (iii) UV-B irradiation impairs both TDL and DC migration patterns. We conclude that the lack of capacity of irradiated TDL to home to lymph nodes is due to damage to cell surface homing receptors and that the failure of DC to home to the lymph node microenvironment is related to the absence of HEV homing receptors on their cell surface.