Microanatomy of lymphocyte-endothelial interactions at the high endothelial venules of lymph nodes
Kazuo Tohya1, Eiji Umemoto2,3 and Masayuki Miyasaka2,3
1Department of Anatomy, Kansai University of Health Sciences, Osaka, Japan, 2Laboratory of Immunodynamics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan and 3Laboratory of Immunodynamics, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
Offprint requests to: Kazuo Tohya, Ph.D., Department of Anatomy, Kansai University of Health Sciences, 2-11-1 Wakaba, Kumatori, Sennan, Osaka 590-0482, Japan. e-mail: ktohya@kansai.ac.jp
Summary. Lymphocyte trafficking into lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches is mediated primarily by specifically differentiated venules, called high endothelial venules (HEVs), located in the tissue parenchyma. HEVs have a unique morphology and phenotype, which enables them to interact with circulating lymphocytes efficiently. That is, the HEV endothelial cells have a tall and plump appearance, and constitutively express multiple adhesion molecules and chemokines on their surface. These molecules can interact with cognate receptors on circulating lymphocytes, thereby mediating the stepwise and sequential lymphocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration (TEM) at the HEV endothelial luminal surface. This review summarizes the fine morphological aspects of the unique HEV endothelial cells, with special reference to the spatial distribution of the adhesion molecules and chemokines that regulate lymphocyte migration. Histol Histopathol 25, 781-794 (2010)
Key words: High endothelial venule, Lymphocyte migration, Adhesion molecule, Chemokine
DOI: 10.14670/HH-25.781