Expression of Mucosal Homing Receptor α4β7 Is Associated with Enhanced Migration to theChlamydia-Infected Murine Genital Mucosa In Vivo

ABSTRACT

The CD4 T helper cell type 1 (Th1) response is essential for the resolution of chlamydial genital infection in mice. However, not all Th1 clones are equally protective in eradicating the infection. Since oral immunization regimens produce protective immunity, we evaluated the role of the mucosa-associated homing receptor, α4β7, in trafficking to the genital mucosa. Using a panel of CD4, Th1 cell lines and clones, we compared the lymphocyte homing patterns of aChlamydia-specific, protective clone (P-MoPn), a nonprotective clone (N-MoPn), and a keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-specific cell line (KLH-1). T cells were labeled with the fluorescent dye PKH-26, adoptively transferred intoChlamydia-infected mice, and monitored at different time points throughout the course of a genital infection. We found that clones P-MoPn and N-MoPn migrated to similar extents to the genital tract and in significantly greater numbers than the KLH-specific T-cell line. Both clones and the KLH-1 line expressed similar levels of the adhesion molecules α4, β1, CD44, and CD11a. However, clones P-MoPn and N-MoPn expressed higher levels of the mucosal homing receptor, α4β7. Also, clones P-MoPn and N-MoPn but not the KLH-1 line migrated to the mesenteric lymph node, suggesting a mucosal recirculation pattern. Moreover, blocking α4β7 adhesion interaction in vivo significantly reduced the recruitment of P-MoPn but not KLH-1 to the genital tract. These findings show that the mucosal homing receptor α4β7 is utilized by a subset of CD4 cells during migration to the Chlamydia-infected genital tract.