CCR7 mediates the migration of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells to the paracortical areas of peripheral lymph nodes through high endothelial venules

S Ueha, H Yoneyama, S Hontsu… - Journal of Leucocyte …, 2007 - academic.oup.com
S Ueha, H Yoneyama, S Hontsu, M Kurachi, M Kitabatake, J Abe, O Yoshie, S Shibayama…
Journal of Leucocyte Biology, 2007academic.oup.com
Thymus-derived forkhead box p3+ naturally occurring regulatory T cells (nTreg) are thought
to circulate throughout the body to maintain peripheral immunological self-tolerance through
interactions with dendritic cells (DCs), resulting in regulation of conventional T cells.
However, the chemokine receptors, which are putatively involved in the in vivo migration of
nTreg, have not been fully established. Here, we demonstrated that lymph node nTreg
preferentially migrated to the paracortical area of lymph nodes after adoptive transfer, where …
Abstract
Thymus-derived forkhead box p3+ naturally occurring regulatory T cells (nTreg) are thought to circulate throughout the body to maintain peripheral immunological self-tolerance through interactions with dendritic cells (DCs), resulting in regulation of conventional T cells. However, the chemokine receptors, which are putatively involved in the in vivo migration of nTreg, have not been fully established. Here, we demonstrated that lymph node nTreg preferentially migrated to the paracortical area of lymph nodes after adoptive transfer, where they were observed to make contact frequently with CD8α+ DCs and CD8α CD11b DCs. This migration of nTreg to the paracortical areas was impaired severely when cells were prepared from CCR7-deficient mice. However, to some extent, CCR7-independent migration of nTreg in such CCR7-deficient mice was also observed, but this occurred mainly in the medullary high endothelial venules. Taken together, these data provide the evidence that CCR7 mediates nTreg migration to the paracortical areas of lymph nodes under steady-state conditions; however, CCR7-independent migration also takes place in the medulla.
Oxford University Press