α4-integrin-VCAM-1 binding mediates G protein–independent capture of encephalitogenic T cell blasts to CNS white matter microvessels
Peter Vajkoczy, Melanie Laschinger, Britta Engelhardt
Peter Vajkoczy, Melanie Laschinger, Britta Engelhardt
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α4-integrin-VCAM-1 binding mediates G protein–independent capture of encephalitogenic T cell blasts to CNS white matter microvessels

Abstract

Direct in vivo evidence is still lacking for α4-integrin–mediated T cell interaction with VCAM-1 on blood-brain barrier–endothelium in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). To investigate a possible α4-integrin–mediated interaction of encephalitogenic T cell blasts with VCAM-1 on the blood-brain barrier white matter endothelium in vivo, we have developed a novel spinal cord window preparation that enabled us to directly visualize CNS white matter microcirculation by intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy. Our study provides the first in vivo evidence that encephalitogenic T cell blasts interact with the spinal cord white matter microvasculature without rolling and that α4-integrin mediates the G protein–independent capture and subsequently the G protein–dependent adhesion strengthening of T cell blasts to microvascular VCAM-1.

Authors

Peter Vajkoczy, Melanie Laschinger, Britta Engelhardt

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Figure 1

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Spinal window preparation for direct intravital microscopic assessment o...
Spinal window preparation for direct intravital microscopic assessment of white matter microcirculation. Stereomicroscopic (a) and intravital fluorescence microscopic (b) view of spinal window preparation exposing the dorsal spinal cord. Bar, 500 μm. High-magnification intravital fluorescence microscopy of spinal microvasculature depicting white matter capillary network (arrows) (c) and white matter postcapillary venules draining into the central dorsal vein (d). Bar, 100 μm.