Chemokine receptor CCR7 guides T cell exit from peripheral tissues and entry into afferent lymphatics

SK Bromley, SY Thomas, AD Luster - Nature immunology, 2005 - nature.com
SK Bromley, SY Thomas, AD Luster
Nature immunology, 2005nature.com
T cell circulation between peripheral tissues and the lymphoid compartment is critical for
immunosurveillance and host defense. However, the factors that determine whether T cells
remain in peripheral tissue or return to the circulation are undefined. Here we demonstrate
that the chemokine receptor CCR7 is a critical signal that determines T cell exit from
peripheral tissue. Both CCR7− and CCR7+ effector T cells entered mouse asthmatic lung
and while CCR7− T cells accumulated, CCR7+ T cells continued to migrate into afferent …
Abstract
T cell circulation between peripheral tissues and the lymphoid compartment is critical for immunosurveillance and host defense. However, the factors that determine whether T cells remain in peripheral tissue or return to the circulation are undefined. Here we demonstrate that the chemokine receptor CCR7 is a critical signal that determines T cell exit from peripheral tissue. Both CCR7 and CCR7+ effector T cells entered mouse asthmatic lung and while CCR7 T cells accumulated, CCR7+ T cells continued to migrate into afferent lymph. Delivery of both CCR7+ and CCR7 T cells directly into the airways showed that only CCR7+ T cells exited the lung and entered draining lymph nodes. Our study establishes a molecular basis for T cell exit from peripheral tissues.
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