Functional electrical properties of the endothelium in lymphatic vessels of the guinea-pig mesentery

1. The resting and agonist-stimulated properties of endothelial cells and electrical communication between the endothelium and smooth muscle were investigated in open segments of guinea-pig mesenteric lymphatic vessels using intracellular microelectrodes. 2. Endothelial cells had a mean resting membrane potential (RMP) of -71.5 +/- 0.5 mV (n = 100) which was significantly different from the value of -60.8 +/- 1.1 mV (n = 75) recorded in smooth muscle. 3. Acetylcholine (ACh, 5-10 microM) generally evoked an initial hyperpolarization followed by depolarization (mean 3.4 +/- 0.5 mV and 15.4 +/- 1.0 mV, respectively, n = 75). 4. Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels were likely to underlie the ACh-induced hyperpolarization as this response exhibited an increased in membrane conductance, was larger in 0.5 mM K+ solution and was blocked by charybdotoxin (50 nM). 5. The endothelium did not exhibit a response to nitric oxide (NO) as the NO-donor sodium nitroprusside did not alter the RMP and the electrical responses to ACh were not affected by the NO-synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro L-arginine at a concentration which markedly inhibited smooth muscle hyperpolarization. 6. Electrical coupling between the endothelium and smooth muscle was not functional as there was extremely limited electrical continuity (1 in 12, endothelial/smooth muscle cell simultaneous recordings) and bradykinin, noradrenaline and isoprenaline caused different electrical responses in the two cell types. 7. These results provide the first description of RMP and electrical responses to various agonists in the lymphatic endothelium and its lack of functional electrical coupling with the smooth muscle.

Hyperplasia of lymphatic vessels in VEGF-C transgenic mice

No growth factors specific for the lymphatic vascular system have yet been described. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates vascular permeability and angiogenesis, but does not promote lymphangiogenesis. Overexpression of VEGF-C, a ligand of the VEGF receptors VEGFR-3 and VEGFR-2, in the skin of transgenic mice resulted in lymphatic, but not vascular, endothelial proliferation and vessel enlargement. Thus, VEGF-C induces selective hyperplasia of the lymphatic vasculature, which is involved in the draining of interstitial fluid and in immune function, inflammation, and tumor metastasis. VEGF-C may play a role in disorders involving the lymphatic system and may be of potential use in therapeutic lymphangiogenesis.

Endothelin-1 synthesis and receptor-mediated activity in porcine lymph vessels

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor of blood vessels and interacts with nitric oxide (NO) to regulate vascular tone. We hypothesized that ET-1 may modulate lymph vessel tone via local synthesis, receptor-mediated vasoconstriction, and interaction with NO. Serial sections obtained from formalin-fixed porcine mediastinal tissue, incubated with either ET-1 or von Willebrand factor antibody and stained with avidin-biotin complex and peroxidase, demonstrated ET-1 in lymphatic vascular endothelium. Isometric tension was recorded in vitro in fresh porcine tracheo-bronchial lymph vessel rings in response to the cumulative addition of ET-1 (10(-11) to 10(-6) M). ET-1 induced a tonic contraction with peak tension at 3 x 10(-7) M (mean tension 3731 +/- 306 mg; 259 +/- 20 percent of response to 65 mM KCl). The addition of specific receptor antagonists (ET(A) (BQ-610), ET(B) (BQ-788), or both) blocked the contractile response seen in ET-1 stimulated controls (ET(A) + ET(B) > ET(A)>> ET(B). The response to ET-1 was increased by endothelial damage but was unaffected by the inhibition of NO synthesis by N (G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) Endothelial damage altered the ET-1 response in the presence of ET(B) antagonist but not ET(A) antagonist. ET-1 is a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor of lymph vessels. Its effects are mediated through specific receptors, are not importantly modulated by NO, but may be modified by release of other endothelium-derived relaxing factors. We conclude that lymph vessel tone may be regulated by ET-1.

[The valvular apparatus and tissue organization of the endothelium of the thoracic duct]

The structure of ostial valves and valves located along the thoracic duct and of its branches ostial valves and right lymphatic duct ostial valves were studied in 30 experimental outbred dogs and 46 cats. Cryodestruction of thoracic duct was performed in 28 outbred cats. 1, 3, 7 and 14 days later perfusive fixation with intercellular borders impregnation was carried out with simultaneous examination of intact regions of intravalvular segments, cisterna chyli and area of thoracic duct trunks connection with valvular surfaces. Tissue organization in ageing was studied using the intervalvular segment of old animals. Specimens were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and film preparations of endothelium. Valves, located along the thoracic duct length are bicuspid formations, while ostial ones are falciform and cuneiform respectively in 80 and 20%. Endotheliocytes of cuspids are characterized with high content of microfilaments bundles in the cytoplasm and low content of microvesicles. Cells of the valvular free margin cross the cuspid edge and have adaptive changes preventing their desquamation: fusiform shape, long basal processes and bundles of microfilaments in the cytoplasm. Peculiar "pericyte-like" cells alike with myofibroblasts lie deep in the cuspid thickness close to the sinusal venous side. Fascicles of the duct smooth myocytes reach the base of the valve. Besides, in the ostial valve stroma there is elastic membrane, better displayed along the cuspid venous side. Increased polymorphism and changes of the endotheliocytes metric characteristics were demonstrated in the zones of turbulent lymph flow. Analysis of the newly formed endothelium tissue mosaics allows to reveal mechanisms of monolayer repair: spreading and migration of endotheliocytes on the first day, their proliferation within three days, desquamation of newly formed endotheliocytes and spreading of adjacent cells on later stages.

A study on binding of suspended nodal lymphocytes to high endothelial venules in sections of frozen rat lymph nodes

Live lymphocytes were previously shown to bind selectively to endothelial cells (HEV cells) of the high endothelial venules (HEVs) in sections of frozen lymph nodes. This study examines aspects of the assay that have so far not been considered or which have been incompletely addressed. It was found that bound lymphocytes form a cytoplasmic veil, and that about half of them form small groups in which they are linked together by cytoplasmic bridges. It was also found that at least 83% of the lymphocytes bind to HEV walls, but very unevenly, and that 5% also bind to medullary venules. In addition, 31% of the lymphocytes were estimated to bind to the abluminal face of HEV cells and probably to tissue lymphocytes present in subendothelial spaces or in perivascular channels (spaces). This would reflect cell interactions occurring, in vivo, between HEV cells and/or subendothelial lymphocytes. It is suggested that antigen specificity of lymphocyte retention by HEV cells accounts for the uneven binding to HEVs.

Synthesis of an endogeneous lectin, galectin-1, by human endothelial cells is up-regulated by endothelial cell activation

The pattern of expression of an endogenous lectin, galectin-1, was examined in human lymphoid tissue. Galectin-1 was detected in the endothelial cells lining specialized vessels, termed high endothelial venules, in activated lymphoid tissue, but not in a resting lymph node. Cultured endothelial cells (human aortic and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HAECs and HUVECs)) expressed galectin-1. Activation of the cultured endothelial cells increased the level of galectin-1 expression, as determined by ELISA. Northern blot analysis and high throughput cDNA sequencing. These results suggest that galectin-1 expressed by endothelial cells may bind to and affect the trafficking of cells emigrating from blood into tissues.

Lymphocyte traffic and positioning in vivo: an expanded role for the ECM, the VLA proteins and the cytokines

The continuous circulation of lymphocytes between blood and lymph, constitutes, with the specific recognition of foreign antigens and with memory, one of the hallmarks of the immunological system. In the routine process of recirculating between blood and lymph in adult life, lymphocytes display the unique capacity of recognizing "self within self". The physiological recognition of "self within self" is expressed at three levels: (1) an overall ability to distinguish between peripheral lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs, (2) the ability of lymphocyte subpopulations to discriminate between peripheral lymphoid organs, (3) a fine recognition of distinct microenvironments within the peripheral lymphoid organs. Historically, interest in regulation of entry into the lymph dominated this field, focusing primarily on the interaction of lymphocytes with post-capillary venules with high endothelium found in some higher vertebrate lymph nodes. Lymphocytes, however, enter the lymph in species without lymph nodes, and lymphocytes recirculation is well established in fetal life. Regardless of route of entry, lymphocytes in birds, fish, rodents, and humans enter the peripheral lymphoid organs and display the capacity to segregate and arrange themselves in distinct territories, a phenomenon called "ecotaxis". This paper reviews the evidence for the relative contribution of so called specialized lymphocyte endothelium interactions and other interactions, to the physiological regulation of lymphocyte traffic and positioning. Of the latter, interactions of lymphocytes with the ECM appear of some significance for two reasons: there is a selective distribution of some ECM components in peripheral lymphoid organ areas, as recently shown for tenascin in the thymus-dependent zones (Chilosi et al., Am J Pathol 143: 1348-1355, 1993). This selective distribution may serve as a basis for preferential T cell migration through those zones. The abnormal expression of tenascin in non-lymphoid organs with autoimmune lesions may serve as an identical basis for abnormal T lymphocyte migration in autoimmunity (Chilosi, personal communication). Additional evidence for abnormal cell-ECM interactions playing a role in autoimmune-like lesions comes from the recent observations in TGF-beta 1 knockout mice, in which mononuclear cell infiltration of the heart and lungs has been corrected by the systemic administration of synthetic FN peptides (Hines at al., PNAS 91:5187-5191, 1994). Changes in expression of ECM components have aso being described in rat heart allografts preceding lymphocyte accumulation in the process of allograft rejection (Coito et atl. Transplantation 57:599-605, 1994).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Activation of high endothelial venules in peripheral lymph nodes. The involvement of interferon-gamma

The introduction of Freund's complete adjuvant into footpads of mice leads to functional changes of the high endothelial venules (HEV) in the draining lymph nodes. Using an in vitro adhesion assay, increased binding of monocytes and dendritic cells could be seen. These effects are also seen after injection of high doses of INF-gamma. No changes in the expression of vascular addressins, VCAM-1, E selection or ICAM-1 could be observed but the binding of monocytes could be blocked with an antibody against Mac-1. Depletion studies have made it clear that macrophages in the lymph node are not directly involved in the activation of the HEV. The induction of additional adhesion mechanisms on HEV could be an efficient way to recruit inflammatory cells into the lymph node, thereby regulating the local immune response.

Nitric oxide and endothelium-dependent relaxation in tracheobronchial lymph vessels

Lymphatic smooth muscle tone and contractility are important determinants of lymph flow. Because we have shown previously that lymph vessels exhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation similar to that identified in blood vessels, we assessed the possible role of nitric oxide as an endothelium-dependent relaxant factor in lymph vessels using porcine tracheobronchial lymph vessel rings mounted in organ baths. Isometric active tension was measured and normalized as a percentage of response to 65 mM KCl-substituted perfusate. Histamine and NE elicited contraction in all vessel rings at a concentration of 10(-5) M, and we were unable to demonstrate relaxant responses to these substances even at low concentrations. In histamine- and NE-contracted vessel rings an increase in active tension was produced by NMMA (33.9 +/- 5.4 and 26.1 +/- 5%, respectively, P < 0.0001 for each), an effect that was reversed by addition of L-arginine but not by D-arginine. Endothelial disruption reversed the effects of NMMA in histamine-contracted (16.2 +/- 4.0% increase in active tension; P = N.S. vs initial histamine response) and in NE-contracted vessel rings (11.5 +/- 1.2% increase in active tension; P = N.S. vs initial NE response). The data provide evidence that nitric oxide is an endothelium-dependent relaxant factor that regulates tracheobronchial lymphatic smooth muscle tone and is released in response to administration of contractile agonists.

Characterization of ovine lymphatic endothelial cells and their interactions with lymphocytes

The interaction of blood-borne lymphocytes with blood vascular endothelial cells is a fundamental component of lymphocyte circulation. The role of lymphatic endothelial cells is less certain. These studies describe the isolation, characterization and lymphocyte binding capacity of efferent lymphatic endothelial cells from ovine mesenteric lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic endothelial cells had anti-thrombin 3, von Willebrand Factor and MHC I on their surface. The cells also actively metabolized acetylated low density lipoprotein. The morphological appearance was indistinguishable from blood vascular endothelium but quite different from cultured smooth muscle cells. Lymphocyte binding to lymphatic endothelial cells was not significantly different from binding to carotid artery or jugular vein endothelial cells. The degree of binding in all cases could be enhanced by incubating endothelial cells in medium containing rh TNF-alpha (recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha).

Terminal endothelial cells of lymph capillaries as active transport structures involved in the formation of lymph in rat skin

Electron microscopic examination of lymph capillaries of the dermal papillae of rat scalp skin revealed continuous extension of the lymph collection system into 4 to 10 micron diameter lumen capillaries with thin walls, scant basement lamellae (membranes), and blind-endings of 1 to 4 micron lumen diameter within endothelial-type cells. These terminal endothelial cells also displayed intracytoplasmic channels and pinocytotic vesicles, extensive cytoplasmic processes and a high cytoplasmic volume-percent of mitochondria suggesting active transport capabilities of lymphatic endothelia. The mitochondrial cytoplasmic volume-percent (mean 14.5%) exceeded that present in blood capillary endothelial cells of the rat brain (the anatomic substrate of the blood-brain barrier), that have a volume-percent of mitochondria of 10 to 12% (1). Active transport processes centered in such endothelial cells could account for a portion of lymph formation, and explain the continued accumulation of lymphedema distal to blocked lymphatic collection ducts when lymphatic intraluminal pressure is greatly increased. The small lumen diameter capillaries, which correspond spatially to the prelymphatics of other authors (2), typically converge in groups of three to form larger diameter lymph capillaries corresponding to the lymph "initials" previously described (2,3).

A comparative study of cultured vascular and lymphatic endothelium

There is comparatively little knowledge of the structure and function of cultured lymphatic endothelium. A study was carried out to compare the intrinsic growth characteristics of cultured lymphatic endothelial cells with cultured endothelial derived from blood vessels. It was found that cultured lymphatic endothelium has growth requirements and growth characteristics similar to vascular endothelium. It also possesses FVIIIRA and Weibel-Palade bodies for specific identification. The results of this study have provided important base line data for subsequent studies of the pathobiology of lymphatic endothelium.

The migration of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes across the endothelial wall of the absorbing peripheral lymphatic vessel

We studied the process of transendothelial migration of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the absorbing peripheral lymphatic vessels of small intestine and urinary bladder, under normal conditions, lymphatic stasis and prolonged fast. By ultrathin serial sections and three-dimensional models we found that lymphocytes and leukocytes share a common migration pathway from the interstitium into the lumen of the lymphatic vessel, namely 'the intraendothelial channel'. The migratory process of these cells occurs in several steps: approach to the endothelial wall, entry and run along the channel and finally coming out into lymphatic lumen. Our findings are compared with those concerning lymphatics in pathological conditions and blood vessels. Further considerations concern the possible mechanisms underlying this kind of transendothelial migration.

Microlymphatics and lymph flow

A careful review of several different organs shows that with the information available today the beginnings of the microlymphatics in the tissue consist of endothelialized tubes only. Lymphatic smooth muscle within the collecting lymphatics appears further downstream, in some organs only outside the parenchyma. This particular anatomic picture has been observed in many different mammalian organs and in humans. The nonmuscular, so-called initial, lymphatics are the site of interstitial fluid absorption that requires only small and transient pressure gradients from the interstitium into the initial lymphatics. A fundamental question concerns the mechanism that causes expansion and compression of the initial lymphatics. I presented several realistic proposals based on information currently on hand relevant to the tissue surrounding the initial lymphatics. To achieve a continuous lymphatic output, periodic (time variant) tissue stresses need to be applied. They include arterial pressure pulsations; arteriolar vasomotion; intestinal smooth muscle contractions and motilities; skeletal muscle contraction; skin tension; and external compression, such as during walking, running, or massage, respiration, bronchiole constriction, periodic tension in tendon, contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm, tension in the pleural space during respiration, and contractions of the heart. The nonmuscular initial lymphatic system drains into a set of contractile collecting lymphatics, which by way of intrinsic smooth muscle propel lymph fluid. The exact transition between noncontractile and contractile lymphatics has been established only in a limited number of organs and requires further exploration. Retrograde flow of lymph fluid is prevented by valves. There are the usual macroscopic bileaflet valves in the initial and collecting lymphatics and also microscopic lymphatic endothelial valves on the wall of the initial lymphatics. The latter appear to prevent convective reflow into the interstitium during lymphatic compression. Many of the lymph pump mechanisms have been proposed in the past, and most authors agree that these mechanisms influence lymph flow. However, the decisive experiments have not been carried out to establish to what degree these mechanisms are sufficient to explain lymph flow rates in vivo. Because individual organs have different extrinsic pumps at the level of the initial lymphatics, future experiments need to be designed such that each pump mechanism is examined individually so as to make it possible to evaluate the additive effect on the resultant whole organ lymph flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Functional capacities of high endothelial venules appear not to be controlled by recirculating lymphocytes

The influence of recirculating lymphocytes on the function and morphology of high endothelial venules (HEV) has been studied. Mice were depleted of lymphocytes by lethal (1200 cGy) total body irradiation; subsequently, the HEV in mesenteric and cervical lymph nodes were studied up to 7 days after irradiation for: 1) capacity to bind lymphocytes by using the in vitro HEV-binding assay, 2) for morphological aspects such as ultrastructure and endothelial height, 3) for presence of RNA (pyroninophylia) and MECA-325 expression. Although, commencing 3 days after irradiation, lymphocyte depletion was intense and no extravasation of lymphocytes was observed; HEV were capable of binding lymphocytes at normal levels. Also the ratio of B/T cell binding to HEV was comparable to normal. MECA-325 expression, pyroninophilia, and ultrastructure of high endothelial cells were not affected by lymphocyte depletion. However, the average height of endothelial cells, which is a measurement related to cell volume, declined during lymphocyte depletion, stabilizing at about 70% of normal levels from day 4. After intravenous injection of viable lymph node cells, endothelial cell height rapidly increased within a few hours in conjunction with lymphocyte extravasation and homing into the nodes. Restoration of endothelial cell height was not observed after infusion of thymocytes, lethally irradiated lymph node cells or supernatants rich in cytokines. We conclude that recirculating lymphocytes in blood and lymphoid tissues are not involved in controlling high endothelial cell activity including the specific function in lymphocyte extravasation. However, recirculating/extravasating lymphocytes contribute to the development of endothelial cell height. The significance of non-lymphoid (radioresistant) cells in the control of characteristic high endothelial function is suggested.

Macrophage migration through the endothelium in the absorbing peripheral lymphatic vessel of the small intestine

TEM and three-dimensional models of the absorbing peripheral lymphatic vessel (ALPA) of the small intestine demonstrate that macrophages migrate from the interstitium into the lumen through the endothelial cell (transcellular pathway). Macrophages cross through a 'migration pore' which arises by an 'erosive process' in the cytoplasmic expansion of the endothelial cell. The pore is completely independent of the intercellular junction which is always sealed by junctional complexes. Furthermore several sites of contact between macrophage and endothelial cell membranes stress a possible functional role played by cellular interactions. Transcellular migration processes under normal conditions are compared with pathological or experimental ones.

Interferon-gamma-increased adherence of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules

Recirculating lymphocytes specifically adhere to and migrate through endothelium lining high endothelial venules (HEV), using specific and non-specific receptor-ligand systems. Interferons (IFN) profoundly affect the traffic of lymphocytes. Therefore the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on lymphocytes with respect to their interaction with HEV endothelium in lymph nodes were studied using the frozen section assay. In addition the organ-specificity of T- and B-lymphocyte adherence to HEV was investigated. Lymphocytes from spleen and peripheral lymph nodes showed increased binding to HEV of up to 35% compared to control lymphocytes after in vivo administration of IFN-gamma. The specificity of their binding did not change in terms of T:B-cell ratios. Increased adherence was also found by preincubation of lymphocytes with IFN-gamma in The enhanced binding was not due to increased expression of Mel-14 homing receptors and LFA-1 molecules on T and B lymphocytes, as shown by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and antibody-blocking studies in the frozen section assay. Apparently IFN-gamma induces an additional Mel-14-independent and LFA-1-independent adhesion mechanism on lymphocytes.

Molecular mechanisms of lymphocyte extravasation. III. The loss of lymphocyte extravasation potential induced by pertussis toxin is not mediated via the activation of protein kinase C

The present study evaluated whether protein kinase C (PKC) activation was involved in the lymphocytosis promoting properties of pertussis toxin (Ptx). The exposure of mouse lymphocytes to phorbol esters (as a means to selectively activate PKC) caused a depression in their subsequent capacity to localize into lymph nodes and Peyer's patches in vivo. This pattern of inhibition was quite similar to that observed with lymphocytes treated with Ptx. The mechanisms responsible for the observed decreases in localization to lymphoid organs caused by these two agents, however, appeared to be distinct. Exposure of lymphocytes to PMA was followed by a time and dosage-dependent decrease in the surface density of MEL-14 defined homing receptors. Ptx-treated lymphocytes retained normal density of this homing receptor. Consequently, PMA-treated lymphocytes lost their capacity to bind to high-endothelial venules in in vitro lymph node binding assays while Ptx-treated cells retained normal high-endothelial venule binding potential. We conclude from this study that: 1) the activation of PKC in lymphocytes by PMA can alter their recirculation properties via mechanisms that diminish their expression of surface receptors which support extravasation into lymph node and mucosal lymphoid tissues, and 2) even though Ptx has been reported to elevate the rate of inositol phosphate turnover in lymphocytes, the loss of extravasation potential of Ptx-treated lymphocytes is not mediated via the modification of surface homing receptors as observed in cells exposed to the known PKC activator, PMA.

Expression of lymphocyte adhesion receptors for high endothelium in primates. Anatomic partitioning and linkage to activation

Glycoproteins of 90 to 95 kD Mr are involved in adhesion to high endothelium and migration into secondary lymphoid tissues in several species. Recent evidence indicates that in primates, one type of these molecules may be subsumed under the CD44 grouping of lymphocyte differentiation Ag. Flow cytometric analysis of circulating macaque lymphocytes for expression of these structures revealed a prominent bimodal distribution, defining two subpopulations with a 5- to 10-fold difference in immunofluorescence staining intensity. Studies of lymphocytes from different anatomic compartments revealed marked differences in the relative numbers of these two phenotypes: splenic and peripheral blood lymphocytes were mostly CD44hi, whereas thoracic duct lymphocytes, which have recently exited lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, were predominantly CD44lo, suggesting that these subsets may have different migratory behavior in vivo. Activated lymphocytes, as defined by light scatter measurements, expression of IL-2-R, and CD45R levels, were all CD44hi. Simultaneous three parameter flow cytometric determination of CD44 and CD45R expression, and cell-cycle analysis with 7-amino actinomycin D further demonstrated that intrinsically cycling cells were contained in the CD44hi, CD45R+ subset. After stimulation of CD44lo lymphocytes in vitro with cross-linked anti-CD3 antibodies and PMA, CD44 expression markedly increased. These data indicate that CD44 up-regulation is an early event in T lymphocyte activation in vivo, and support the hypothesis that patterns of lymphocyte traffic are regulated in concert with cell activation, possibly by differential expression of CD44.

Intravenously injected sialidase inactivates attachment sites for lymphocytes on high endothelial venules

Blood-borne lymphocytes initiate entry into secondary lymphoid organs, such as peripheral lymph nodes (PN) and gut-associated Peyer's patches (PP), by a highly specific adhesive interaction between the lymphocytes and the endothelium of specialized blood vessels known as a high endothelial venules (HEV). The selectivity with which functional subpopulations of lymphocytes migrate into particular lymphoid organs is believed to be regulated by the expression of cell adhesion receptors and complementary ligands on lymphocytes and HEV, respectively. The entry of lymphocytes into PN and PP has clearly been shown to involve distinct receptor-ligand pairs. Employing the Stamper-Woodruff in vitro adhesion assay, which measures lymphocyte attachment to HEV in cryostat-cut sections of lymphoid organs, we have previously shown that treatment of PN sections with two different sialidases inactivates HEV-adhesive ligands, whereas treatment of PP tissue sections has no effect on HEV-adhesive function. We now report that in vivo exposure of HEV to sialidase (after i.v. injection of the enzyme) also selectively prevents subsequent in vitro attachment of lymphocytes to PN HEV but not to PP HEV. Consistent with this organ-selective impairment of HEV-adhesive function by sialidase, i.v. injection of the enzyme is shown to prevent short term lymphocyte accumulation within peripheral lymph nodes while having no significant effect on accumulation in PP, blood, or nonlymphoid organs. Histologic examination with the sialic acid-specific lectin from Limax flavus verified that i.v. injected sialidase effectively removes stainable sialic acid moieties from HEV in both PN and PP. This study confirms that sialic acid is required for the adhesive function of PN HEV-ligands. A role for sialic acid as either a recognition determinant or as a regulatory molecule can be envisioned. In view of the fact that many pathogens release sialidase and cause substantially elevated serum levels of this enzyme, the present observations may have pathophysiologic significance. One mechanism by which such pathogens may avoid destruction is to inactivate susceptible HEV-ligands and disrupt the entry of lymphocytes into lymphoid organs where immune responses against the pathogens would normally be initiated.

Functional and biosynthetic changes in endothelial cells of vessels in chronically inflamed tissues: evidence for endothelial control of lymphocyte entry into diseased tissues

In vitro lymphocyte adhesion to, and selective radiosulphate uptake by, endothelial cells has been demonstrated in chronically inflamed tissues of patients with peptic ulceration, rheumatoid disease, pilonidal sinus, autoimmune thyroiditis, polymyositis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and pyelonephritis. These characteristics have been described previously in endothelial cells functionally specialized for promoting lymphocyte traffic from blood to lymph node parenchyma. It is suggested that these observations indicate that some vessels in inflamed tissues may be, at least in part, responsible for the selective accumulation of lymphocytes within the tissue. Manipulating the development of this type of vessel may offer a novel way of influencing the progress of inflammatory disorders.

Regulation of lymphocyte homing. I. Alterations in homing receptor expression and organ-specific high endothelial venule binding of lymphocytes upon activation

Upon activation, lymphocytes display profound alterations in their in vivo migration behavior. In an attempt to understand some of the cellular mechanisms responsible for this altered behavior, in vitro stimulated lymphocytes have been analyzed for their expression of a putative homing receptor (HOR) (defined by mAb MEL-14) and for their ability to bind to specialized lymphoid organ high endothelial venules (HEV) in vitro. The results indicate that signals related to lymphocyte activation induce complex alterations in HOR expression and organ-specificity of HEV-binding: 1) submitogenic stimuli induce an increase in MEL-14 antigen expression. This applies to almost all lymphocytes in autologous cultures, for the fraction of cells in periodate, LPS- or Con A-treated cultures not fully activated and for cultures stimulated with suboptimal doses of Con A. 2) Full blast transformation is associated with a decrease or complete loss of MEL-14 antigen expression on the majority of blasts in all activating systems used, but a subset of up to 30 to 40% of fully activated cells may nonetheless express very high levels of the MEL-14 antigen. 3) Functional assays reveal that Con A and periodate stimulation lead to a selective, nearly complete suppression of the lymphocytes binding to HEV of Peyer's patches, even under conditions where overall binding to peripheral node HEV is increased. This indicates a differential regulation of the two respective receptors, with the mucosa system-specific HOR being more prone to down-regulation during in vitro activation by these mitogens.

Evidence for an accessory role of LFA-1 in lymphocyte-high endothelium interaction during homing

In a variety of lymphocyte interactions, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) plays an important role as an accessory mechanism mediating cell adhesion. We tested the possibility that LFA-1 could also be involved in the specific binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV) during homing. Antibodies against LFA-1 but not against various other cell surface molecules (except the putative gp90 homing receptor defined by the MEL-14 antibody) were found to inhibit in vitro adherence of lymphocytes to HEV in frozen sections of lymph nodes. Binding of T cell lines to HEV was also inhibited by anti-LFA-1 antibody. Using sublines selected for differential expression of the MEL-14 antigen, MEL-14 high cells (which bind well to HEV) were less susceptible to inhibition by anti-LFA-1 than poor binders with low levels of the homing receptor, supporting the model of LFA-1 being an accessory mechanism strengthening weak interactions between cells. Parallel results were found in vivo where anti-LFA-1 antibodies reduced the migration of normal lymphocytes into lymph nodes and Peyer's patches by 40 to 60%. Localization in the lung, especially of activated lymphocytes, was also impaired, although to a lesser extent. These findings suggest that LFA-1 plays an accessory role in cellular interactions relevant for lymphocyte migration.