HECA-452(+) T cells migrate through superficial vascular plexus but not through deep vascular plexus endothelium

[摘要] The skin is nourished by two interconnected vascular systems, the superficial vascular plexus coursing just beneath the epidermis and the deep vascular plexus located above the subcutaneous tissue. Skin inflammatory T cells in diseases, such as psoriasis or dermatitis, strikingly aim for the superficial vascular plexus without involving the deep vascular plexus, and the infiltrating T cells bear a distinct phenotype expressing the cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen, which is recognized by mAb HECA-452, We wanted to know whether HECA-452(+) lymphocytes indeed are able to distinguish between superficial and deep vascular plexus homing sites, Employing the hu-SCID mouse model grafted with human skin and human T cells, as described previously, we developed a new skin-grafting strategy providing superficial and deep vascular plexus skin specimens placed separately onto the same mouse. Fourteen days after allogeneic human T cell grafting, both human skin sites were densely infiltrated by human T cells, but only T cells within the superficial vascular plexus, but not within the deep vascular plexus, expressed the cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen. IL-2 and IFN-gamma expression and allogeneic vessel destruction were present within both superficial and deep vascular plexus skin, This model provides direct evidence that expression of a specific homing receptor is indeed able to direct lymphocyte traffic, not only to a distinct organ but also to a distinct vascular bed within one organ.

[发布日期] 1997-03-01

[关键词] SCID mouse;xenograft;ELAM-1;interleukin-2