| Issue |
Vet. Res.
Volume 34, Number 1, January-February 2003
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 3 - 10 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2002045 | |
| How to cite this article | Vet. Res. (2003) 3-10 | |
DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2002045
Expression of potential lymphocyte trafficking mediator molecules in the mammary gland
Toshihide NishimuraDepartment of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
(Received 14 January 2002; accepted 24 June 2002)
Abstract
The mammary gland performs a variety of immunological functions,
including protecting itself from mastitis and protecting neonates
from infectious agents. Several molecules that mediate lymphocyte
trafficking in the immune system are also expressed in the mammary
gland. This review is focused on the immunological function of these
molecules, especially glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion
molecule-1 (GlyCAM-1) and mucosal addressin cell adhesion
molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) in the mammary gland. GlyCAM-1 is expressed
in the lactating mouse mammary gland. Endothelial cells produce
this protein and secrete it into milk. The glycosylated modification
of mammary gland GlyCAM-1 is different from that of the lymph nodes,
and lacks the binding ability for L-selectin on lymphocytes. GlyCAM-1
in the mammary gland is not involved in lymphocyte migration, and probably
has another function besides that of the lymph nodes. MAdCAM-1 is expressed
on endothelial cells of small venules around mouse mammary lobules during
lactation. This molecule has the ability to interact with
integrin
on lymphocytes and mediates lymphocyte recruitment to the mammary gland.
The density of
/CD3
+ T-cells is correlated with the density of the
MAdCAM-1-stained area, suggesting that MAdCAM-1 may mediate the migration
of these cells. In contrast, there is no relationship between MAdCAM-1
expression and the number of
/c-IgA
+ B-cells, implying that some other
factor is involved in lymphocyte migration to the mammary gland. Chemokines,
such as IL-8, GRO-
, MCP-1, RANTES and MEC, have been detected in human
and mouse mammary glands. Although little information is available,
these molecules may contribute to lymphocyte migration to the mammary gland.
Key words: mammary gland / mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) / glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule-1 (GlyCAM-1) / mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) / lymphocyte migration
Correspondence and reprints: Toshihide Nishimura tel. (81) 52 853 8146; fax (81) 52 842 3955;
e-mail: toshihide.nishimura@nifty.ne.jp
© INRA, EDP Sciences 2003