Critical role of LFA-1 in liver migration of CD4+NK T cells

Abstract

In contrast to peripheral lymphoid organs, a high percentage of T cells in the liver belongs to the CD4+NK T cells. To elucidate the mechanism by which CD4+NK T cells reside in the liver, we examined the impact of different adhesion molecules on migration of this cell population t the liver. CD4+NK T cells in the liver expressed ICAM-1 and high levels of LFA-1. In the liver of LFA-1-deficient gene knockout mice, the number of CD4+NK T cells was markedly decreased. This reduction was restricted to the liver and no reduction in the proportion of CD4+NK T cells was found in all other organs analyzed. In contrast, the number of CD4+NK T cells in the liver of mice deficient in ICAM-1 was only marginally reduced. These results demonstrate the crucial role of LFA-1 in the migration of CD4+NK T cells to the liver.