A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Clever-1 contributes to lymphocyte entry into the spleen via the red pulp




AuthorsTadayon S, Dunkel J, Takeda A, Halle O, Karikoski M, Gerke H, Rantakari P, Virtakoivu R, Pabst O, Salmi M, Hollmen M, Jalkanen S

PublisherAMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE

Publication year2019

JournalScience Immunology

Journal name in sourceSCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY

Journal acronymSCI IMMUNOL

Article numberARTN eaat0297

Volume4

Issue33

Number of pages11

ISSN2470-9468

eISSN2470-9468

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1126/sciimmunol.aat0297


Abstract
Lymphocytes recirculate continuously between the blood and lymphoid organs, a process that is of fundamental importance for proper functioning of the immune system. The molecular mechanisms underlying lymphocyte trafficking to the spleen remain an enigma. Here, we show that lymphocytes enter the spleen preferentially from vessels in the red pulp rather than the marginal sinus or the vasculature in the white pulp. Ex vivo adhesion assays in mice and humans, together with genetic ablation of Clever-1 in mice, indicate that CD8(+) T cell and B220(+) B cell homing to the spleen via the red pulp is Clever-1 dependent. Moreover, absence of Clever-1 leads to down-regulation of the B cell attractant chemokine, CXCL13, on spleen endothelium. CXCL13 is known to guide B cell trafficking to lymphoid organs, and its lack may contribute to the observed decrease in B cell trafficking into the spleen as well. In summary, this study identifies Clever-1 as an important molecule controlling lymphocyte entry into the spleen, along with a critical role for the splenic red pulp in this regulated trafficking. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that location-specific homing-associated molecules guide lymphocyte entry into the spleen.



Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 22:54