CC chemokine receptor 7 contributes to Gi-dependent T cell motility in the lymph node

J Immunol. 2007 Mar 1;178(5):2973-8. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.178.5.2973.

Abstract

Naive T cells migrate extensively within lymph node (LN) T zones to scan for Ag-bearing dendritic cells. However, the extracellular signals controlling T cell motility in LNs are not well defined. In this study, by real-time imaging of LNs, we show that the inhibition of Gi signaling in T cells severely impairs their migration. The chemokine CCL21, a ligand of CCR7, strongly induces chemokinesis in vitro, and T cell motility in LNs from CCR7 ligand-deficient plt/plt mice was reduced. CCR7-deficient T cells in wild-type LNs showed a similar reduction in motility, and antagonism of CXCR4 function did not further decrease their motility. The effect of CCR7 or CCR7-ligand deficiency could account for approximately 40% of the Gi-dependent motility. These results reveal a role for CCR7 in promoting T cell migration within lymphoid organ T zones, and they suggest the additional involvement of novel Gi-coupled receptors in promoting T cell motility at these sites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemokine CCL21
  • Chemokines, CC / deficiency
  • Chemokines, CC / immunology*
  • Chemotaxis / genetics
  • Chemotaxis / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / immunology*
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton
  • Receptors, CCR4
  • Receptors, CCR7
  • Receptors, Chemokine / deficiency
  • Receptors, Chemokine / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Ccl21c protein, mouse
  • Ccr4 protein, mouse
  • Ccr7 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CCL21
  • Chemokines, CC
  • Receptors, CCR4
  • Receptors, CCR7
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go