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Roles of Leukocyte and Immune Cell Junctional Proteins
Author(s) -
ALEXANDER J. STEVEN,
ELROD JOHN W.,
PARK JAE H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
microcirculation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.793
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1549-8719
pISSN - 1073-9688
DOI - 10.1111/j.1549-8719.2001.tb00167.x
Subject(s) - adherens junction , microbiology and biotechnology , cell junction , cadherin , cell adhesion molecule , tight junction , cell adhesion , homing (biology) , occludin , biology , immune system , intraepithelial lymphocyte , chemistry , immunology , cell , ecology , genetics
The restricted expression of E‐cadherin on dendritic cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes has been described as a structural/adhesive system that helps to retain and integrate these cells within mucosal and dermal tissues. The activation of these cells downregulates expression of cadherins, and contributes to cell redistribution and tissue homing. It has recently been reported that lymphocytes and other leukocytes express cadherins, as well as occludin, a tight junctional component, in response to several types of stimuli. This suggests that mobilization of adherens and tight junction proteins in leukocytes may facilitate interactions of leukocytes with epithelial, endothelial, and interstitial cells that express these proteins and support homophilic adhesion. The conditions and patterns of synthesis of these adhesion molecules, in antigen‐presenting cells and leukocytes, indicate that the expression of junction proteins may play roles in normal and pathological leukocyte traffic.