PMID: 9006335Jan 1, 1997Paper

Topographic distribution of homing receptors on B and T cells in human gut-associated lymphoid tissue: relation of L-selectin and integrin alpha 4 beta 7 to naive and memory phenotypes

The American Journal of Pathology
I N FarstadP Brandtzaeg

Abstract

In mice, integrin alpha 4 beta 7 is the main receptor used by lymphocytes that home to the Peyer's patches, although L-selectin contributes to the initial interaction with high endothelial venules. Less is known about the expression and function of these adhesion molecules in humans. The distribution of L-selectin and alpha 4 beta 7 on various B- and T-cell subsets was examined in human Peyer's patches (n = 8) and appendix (n = 4), collectively called gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Multicolor immunophenotyping was performed on cryosections, and dispersed cells were examined by flow cytometry. In cryosections, CD45RA+ T cells around and within interfollicular high endothelial venules, as well as surface (s)IgD+ B lymphocytes in the follicle mantles, often expressed abundant L-selectin but only intermediate levels of alpha 4 beta 7. CD45RO+ T cells and sIgD- B cells expressed higher levels of alpha 4 beta 7 and were often located near putative efferent lymphatics; only a small fraction (< 20%) of such memory cells expressed L-selectin. By flow cytometry, considerably more T than B lymphocytes co-expressed L-selectin and alpha 4 beta 7 (40% versus 25% and 67% versus 39%, respectively). In samples with many L-selectin+ cells (> 30...Continue Reading

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