The JI PBL Intereron Source
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     
 

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wang, S.-L.
Right arrow Articles by Bogen, S. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Wang, S.-L.
Right arrow Articles by Bogen, S. A.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Gene*GEO Profiles
*HomoloGene*UniGene
*Substance via MeSH
The Journal of Immunology, 2000, 165: 2465-2473.
Copyright © 00 by The American Association of Immunologists

Selective Malformation of the Splenic White Pulp Border in L1-Deficient Mice1

Shih-Lien Wang*, Michael Kutsche{dagger}, Gino DiSciullo*, Melitta Schachner{dagger} and Steven A. Bogen2,*

* Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118; and {dagger} Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany


   Abstract
Top
 Abstract
Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Lymphocytes enter the splenic white pulp by crossing the poorly characterized boundary of the marginal sinus. In this study, we describe the importance of L1, an adhesion molecule of the Ig superfamily, for marginal sinus integrity. We find that germline insertional mutation of L1 is associated with a selective malformation of the splenic marginal sinus. Other splenic structures remain intact. Immunofluorescence analysis of the extracellular framework of the spleen, using an Ab to laminin, reveals that L1 knockout mice have an irregularly shaped, discontinuous white pulp margin. Electron microscopic analysis shows that it is associated with bizarrely shaped marginal sinus lining cells at the periphery of the white pulp. These abnormalities correlate with the localization of L1 in normal mice in that L1 is normally expressed on marginal sinus lining cells at the white pulp border. These L1-immunopositive lining cells coexpress high levels of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 and vimentin, indicating that they are of fibroblastic lineage and express a well-characterized addressin. Our findings are the first to implicate L1 in splenic lymphoid architectural development. Moreover, these findings help define the poorly characterized sinusoidal boundary across which mononuclear cells cross to enter the splenic white pulp.


   Introduction
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Mononuclear cells enter lymphoid organs via two distinct routes. Although the blood vascular route has been a major focus of interest over the last decade, there is a paucity of information about mononuclear cell passage across sinusoidal walls. Specifically, mononuclear cells, such as macrophages, lymphocytes, and dendritic cells, travel from the site of Ag contact to a draining lymphoid organ. In the context of a lymph node (LN),3 mononuclear cells drain into the subcapsular sinus, enter the cortical sinusoids, and then migrate into the lymphoid parenchyma by crossing the relatively poorly defined boundary of the sinusoidal lining. This lining comprises a single layer of flattened cells associated with collagen fibrils and extracellular matrix proteins, such as laminin (1, 2). Comparatively little is known about the physiological properties of this lining, such as the expression of adhesion molecules, mechanisms of locomotion of mononuclear cells along the lining surface, or whether the sinusoidal wall is porous or relatively impermeable to the free flow of macromolecules and cells (3).

In the spleen, the most analogous structure to the LN sinusoid is the marginal sinus. The marginal sinus lining cells are a thin layer of flattened cells that envelop the white pulp. These flattened cells form the inner layer of the marginal sinus, a space that communicates, directly or indirectly, with the blood vascular system (4, 5, 6). Ultrastructurally, the marginal sinus wall is more analogous to the LN sinusoidal lining cells than blood vascular endothelium. Namely, both types of sinusoidal lining cells associate with a similar type of protein matrix, do not assume the tall morphology often associated with postcapillary venules, and do not have a known intercellular junction capable of regulating fluid and solute flow. It is across this boundary that mononuclear cells must cross to enter the splenic white pulp.

We are particularly interested in identifying the underlying adhesion molecules that mediate structural features of sinusoidal linings. To this end, we have focused our attention on the L1 adhesion molecule. L1 is a 1260-aa-long Ig superfamily adhesion molecule (7). It has been implicated in several important neurobiological processes, including neurite outgrowth, neurite fasciculation, axon-Schwann cell interaction, myelination, neuronal cell migration, and synaptic plasticity (8, 9, 10, 11, 12). L1 acts homophilically and heterophilically (8, 13, 14). The importance of L1 in neuronal development is reflected by the fact that mutations in the human L1 gene lead to a group of neurological syndromes (15, 16).

Although L1 was initially identified in the nervous system, L1 is also expressed in nonneuronal tissues. Specifically, L1 is expressed by cells of hematopoietic origin (17, 18), intestinal epithelial cells (19), epithelium of the male urogenital tract (20), and other cells of epithelial origin (21). The functional role of L1 on these cells is largely unexplored. L1 has been implicated in an in vitro cell binding assay between lymphocytes and bend 3 endothelioma cells, raising the possibility of a potential role in lymphocyte-endothelial cell interactions (22). It is also involved in kidney morphogenesis (23).

Previous data from our laboratory implicated the Ig superfamily adhesion molecule L1 in maintaining normal sinusoidal structure in LNs during immune hypertrophy (24). Specifically, we found that in vivo administration of an L1 mAb disrupted the normal remodeling of the cortical sinusoidal lining cells of LNs during an immune response. The L1 mAb did not disrupt static, quiescent sinusoidal lining cells. Rather, it interfered only with sinsusoidal lining cells mediating the process of matrix remodeling induced by immune stimulation. A limitation with the in vivo L1 Ab study was that it required a xenogenic rat anti-mouse L1 mAb. Consequently, a mouse (host) anti-rat IgG immune response developed 10–14 days after L1 mAb administration. This model was therefore useful only in short term studies, such as acute hypertrophic responses to immune stimulation.

Because of the structural similarities between the splenic marginal sinus and LN cortical sinusoids, we hypothesize that the splenic marginal sinus may also be reliant on the L1 adhesion molecule for structural integrity. To elucidate the role of L1 in the development and maintenance of the splenic marginal sinus and the white pulp boundary, we have studied lymphoid matrix development in an L1-null mutant mouse.


   Materials and Methods
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Animals

Female L1 heterozygous mice of C57BL/6 background were generated as previously described (8). They were bred with either wild-type C57BL/6 (The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME) or 129/SvEv (Taconic Farms, Germantown, NY) males. The male offspring were genotyped by PCR for detection of the L1 deletion as described (8). Male L1 knockout (KO) mice and their wild-type littermate controls were used at ~8–15 wk of age. Normal 8- to 12-wk-old male BALB/cByJ mice were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory. Animals were housed at the Laboratory Animal Science Center, Boston University School of Medicine (Boston, MA), and cared for in accordance with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Boston University School of Medicine.

Antibodies

Normal nonimmune rat IgG (NRIgG) and the clone 324 rat anti-L1 mAb (IgG) were prepared and purified by HPLC as previously described (24). Other Abs used for indirect immunofluorescence studies were diluted in PBS, 0.1% BSA: rabbit anti-mouse laminin IgG, 1/500 (Sigma, St. Louis, MO); normal rabbit serum, 1/1000 (Covance Research Products, Denver, PA); goat anti-rabbit IgG-FITC, 1/1000 (Organon Teknika, West Chester, PA); rat anti-mouse mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), MECA367, 4 µg/ml (PharMingen, San Diego, CA); MOMA-1 (for identifying marginal metallophilic macrophages), 1/25 (Serotec, Raleigh, NC); rat anti-mouse IgM-FITC, 4 µg/ml (Serotec); rat anti-mouse B220 mAb clone TIB146 culture supernatant, rat anti-mouse CD4 mAb clone TIB207 culture supernatant, rat anti-mouse CD8 mAb clone TIB105 culture supernatant (all from the American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA); NLDC145 (for identifying interdigitating dendritic cells), hybridoma culture supernatant (25); rat anti-mouse IgD (clone JA12.5), 3 µg/ml, a gift of Dr. Fred Finkelman (26); FDC-M1 (for identifying follicular dendritic cells), a gift of Dr. Marie H. Kosco-Vilbois (27); rabbit anti-rat IgG-FITC, 1/600 (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA); donkey anti-rat IgG (Fab')2-biotin, 1/1000 (Jackson ImmunoResearch, West Grove, PA); donkey anti-rat IgG-Texas Red, 1/75 (Jackson ImmunoResearch); donkey anti-rabbit IgG-Texas Red, 1/500 (Jackson ImmunoResearch); avidin-FITC, 1/1000 (Vector Laboratories).

Immunofluorescence microscopy

For immunofluorescence studies, spleen tissue was embedded in OCT (Miles, Elkhart, IN), snap frozen in liquid nitrogen, cryosectioned, and fixed for 30 s in cold acetone. For the detection of L1, we used the tyramide signal amplification system (NEN Life Science, Boston, MA). Sections were first incubated in 1% newborn calf serum, PBS for 30 min at room temperature (RT). This both hydrated the tissue sections and masked sites of nonspecific protein adsorption.

We masked endogenous peroxidase activity by incubating the sections with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) 0.6 mg/ml in 50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.6, supplemented with 0.003% hydrogen peroxide for 20 min at RT. This treatment covers sites of endogenous peroxidase with DAB precipitate, physically encasing the enzyme to prevent further activity and thus effectively neutralizing the activity of the peroxidase enzyme. It also largely occludes the excitation and emission light (in a fluorescence detection system, which we used). We found this method to be more effective than quenching with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, especially because tyramide signal amplification is highly sensitive in detecting even trace levels of residual peroxidase activity. In the system that we describe, even if a small amount of peroxidase activity was left unquenched, there was no opportunity for confusion to arise. The brown DAB precipitate denoting endogenous peroxidase is easily distinguished on bright-field optics from the fluorescent signal identifying the location of Ags of interest.

The 324 (anti-L1) mAb or NRIgG control were applied at 0.1 µg/ml, followed by donkey anti-rat IgG (Fab')2-biotin at a 1/1000 dilution. All incubations were performed at RT for 40 min. Subsequently, streptavidin-peroxidase and tyramide-FITC were applied and incubated as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Between each step, the sections were washed three times for 5 min in PBS, 0.1% Tween 20.

For two-color staining of L1 and MAdCAM-1, we modified the procedure to distinguish the two rat mAbs with two distinct fluorochromes (fluorescein and Texas Red). L1 was first detected as described above, except that the 324 mAb was applied at a 10-fold lower than normal concentration (0.01 µg/ml). This ultralow Ab concentration can easily be detected using the highly sensitive tyramide signal amplification system (fluorescein signal) but is below the level of detection for the standard immunofluorescence detection system using Texas Red. Therefore, this helps ensure the fidelity of the two-color discrimination. After completing the first color (fluorescein) stain, we blocked immunoreactive sites on the donkey anti-rat IgG-biotin conjugate with NRIgG (60 µg/ml). This step blocks unoccupied Ig binding sites on the donkey anti-rat IgG-biotin conjugate reagent. Immunoreactive sites on the L1 rat IgG mAb were blocked with a 40-min RT incubation of rabbit anti-rat IgG Fab fragment (50 µg/ml). The rabbit anti-rat IgG Fab was prepared by digestion with papain. Fab fragments were subsequently purified by HPLC. For the second color, sections were stained with anti-MAdCAM-1 (4 µg/ml) for 40 min at RT. The anti-MAdCAM-1 mAb was detected with donkey anti-rat IgG-Texas Red and 30 min incubation at RT.

For immunocytochemical identification of T and B lymphocytes, T cells were stained with a combination of anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAbs, whereas B cells were stained with anti-B220 mAb. The anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAbs were detected with a rabbit anti-rat IgG-FITC. The anti-B220 mAb was detected with a donkey anti-rat-IgG-Texas Red. Because all the primary mAbs are of rat origin, the same previously described procedure modifications (above) were used for ensuring accurate two-color fluorescence discrimination.

For the double staining of laminin and marginal metallophilic macrophages (MOMA-1 Ab), tissue sections were initially stained with MOMA-1. The MOMA-1 Ab was detected with a donkey anti-rat IgG (Fab')2-biotin conjugate and visualized with avidin-FITC. Then, a rabbit anti-mouse laminin Ab was applied and detected with donkey anti-rabbit-Texas Red conjugate. The concentrations and incubation time for each were as previously specified.

For the detection of IgMhighIgDlow marginal zone B cells, the sections were stained with anti-IgD and detected with donkey anti-rat IgG-Texas Red. After incubation with NRIgG (60 µg/ml) to block the unoccupied Ig-binding sites on the donkey anti-rat IgG-Texas Red reagent, the sections were stained with anti-mouse IgM-FITC.

For the detection of germinal center cells, tissue sections were stained with biotin-conjugated peanut agglutinin 1/100 (Vector Laboratories) and detected with avidin-FITC 1/1000 (also from Vector Laboratories).

For the single-color detection of all other Ags, the specific primary Abs were applied and detected with appropriate FITC-conjugated secondary Abs.

Plastic embedding for light and transmission electron microscopy

Organs were immersed in Karnovsky’s half-strength fixative for 30 min and then cut with a razor blade into smaller pieces (~8 mm3). The tissue fragments were further fixed in Karnovsky’s half-strength fixative for >1 day. Tissues were rinsed with 0.1 M sodium cacodylate with 5% sucrose, postfixed with 1% OsO4, stained with 2% uranyl acetate and 2% lead citrate, and then dehydrated through an ethanol gradient. The tissue was then embedded in Epon 812 and cured at 60°C overnight. Semithin sections (1 µm) were stained with 1% toluidine blue in 1% sodium borate. The 0.06-µm ultrathin sections were examined and photographed in an electron microscope (model 300, Philips Electronics, Eindhoven, The Netherlands).

Flow cytometry

Splenocyte suspensions were made by dissociating the spleens through a steel mesh. The RBC were lysed in Tris-buffered ammonium chloride (0.14 M NH4Cl, 0.017 M Tris-HCl, pH 7.2) for 1 min at 37°C. Cells were resuspended in PBS at a concentration of 20 x 106/ml. Splenocytes (1 x 106/tube) were stained with anti-CD4-FITC, anti-CD8-PE (both from PharMingen), or anti-IgM-FITC (Serotec). Cell suspensions were incubated for 45 min at 4°C. After staining, the cells were washed, fixed in 2% paraformaldehyde, PBS, and stored at 4°C until assayed. The lymphocyte subsets were quantified by flow cytometry (Coulter Profile, Coulter, Miami, FL).

Immunization and ELISA

The mice were immunized with 5 x 108 SRBC by i.p. injection on day 0 and then rechallenged with 3 x 108 SRBC i.p. on day 18. Sera were collected by tail vein bleed on days 7, 14, and 25.

Soluble SRBC proteins were extracted using 0.5% Triton X-100 in 300 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris-Cl. The SRBC protein extract was coated onto polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microtiter plates (Costar, Cambridge, MA) at 20 µg/ml overnight at 4°C. The plates were then blocked with 5% BSA for 1 h at RT. Between steps, the plates were washed 5–6 times with PBS, 0.2% Tween 20 (PBS/T). Serum, 50 µl, diluted either 1:30 or 1:100 in PBS/T, was incubated for 1 h at RT. Mouse anti-SRBC protein Abs were detected with an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse IgM or IgG (Sigma) after rinsing out unbound mouse serum from the PVC microtiter wells with PBS/T. The alkaline phosphatase-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse IgM or IgG was then incubated for 1 h at RT at a dilution of 1:1000 in PBS/T. Colorimetric development was performed with the alkaline phosphatase substrate, p-nitrophenyl phosphate (Sigma) and was read at 405 nm in a microplate reader (Bio-Tek Instruments, Winooski, VT).


   Results
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
Discussion
 References
 
Matrix abnormalities in L1 knockout (KO) spleen

As a first step in analyzing L1 KO mice, we examined peripheral lymphoid organs at necropsy. LNs and Peyer’s patches were unremarkable (data not shown). Splenic architecture, on the other hand, was abnormal. Specifically, there was a striking and selective abnormality at the red-white pulp border.

To generate a view of the splenic white pulp framework, we performed immunofluorescence microscopy on frozen sections of mouse spleen. We stained the spleen sections with a polyclonal rabbit anti-mouse laminin Ab. Because laminin is a component of the reticular matrix of the spleen, it outlines the margins of the white pulp and vasculature (28). As shown in Fig. 1Go (left), the laminin staining of wild-type spleen outlines the white pulp margins as a smooth and continuous line. Laminin staining also outlines some fine matrix material in the marginal zone. As a result, the border of the marginal zone (MZ, arrowheads) and marginal sinus (MS, opposing arrows) can be clearly distinguished (Fig. 1Go, left). By contrast, the laminin staining pattern of the L1 KO spleen reveals an irregular, fragmented, and discontinuous white pulp border. The marginal sinus and marginal zone appear to be malformed as well (Fig. 1Go, right).



View larger version (52K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIGURE 1. Expression pattern of laminin in wild-type and L1 KO spleens. Splenic sections from wild type (left) or L1 KO (right) mice were stained with rabbit anti-mouse laminin Ab. The double arrows outline the margin of white pulp. Opposing arrows depict the outer and inner boundaries of the marginal sinus. Opposing arrowheads depict the outer and inner boundaries of the marginal zone. The L1 KO section has a fragmented and discontinuous pattern of laminin staining (right). MS, marginal sinus; MZ, marginal zone; RP, red pulp; WP, white pulp. Bar, 50 µm.

 
Malformation of the splenic marginal sinus in L1 KO mice

To elucidate the nature of this matrix abnormality, spleens from both wild-type and L1 KO mice were embedded in plastic and analyzed by light microscopy (Fig. 2Go) and transmission electron microscopy (Fig. 3Go). In a normal spleen, a flattened layer of sinus lining cells can be traced along the margin of the white pulp. The sinus lining cells have ovoid nuclei and elongated slender processes connecting to adjacent lining cells, forming a continuous lining (Fig. 2Go, left, and Fig. 3Go, top). In Fig. 2Go (left ), the double arrows identify the white pulp border. For the most part, it is comprised of elongated slender cytoplasmic processes. A single arrow (Fig. 2Go, left) identifies the cell body of a marginal sinus lining cell. In Fig. 3Go (top), arrows denote the cytoplasmic processes of two flattened reticular cells. The arrow adjacent to the letters SLC identifies a sinus lining cell. The other arrow, adjacent to RC, denotes a reticular cell defining the outer boundary of the marginal sinus.



View larger version (76K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIGURE 2. Disruption of marginal sinus in L1 KO spleen. In the wild-type spleen (left), the double arrows outline the margin of the white pulp. A pair of opposing arrowheads indicates the inner and outer boundaries of the marginal sinus. In the L1 KO spleen (right), the white pulp margin is difficult to identify. The series of arrowheads identifies what we believe is the probable location of white pulp margin. MS, marginal sinus; MZ, marginal zone; RP, red pulp; SLC, sinus lining cell; WP, white pulp. Bar, 20 µm.

 


View larger version (103K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIGURE 3. Transmission electron micrographs of the splenic marginal sinus. Top, wild-type spleen. The marginal sinus, a space delineated by the SLC and the RC, is clearly identified. Bottom, L1 KO spleen. The marginal sinus cells and reticular cells that delimit the borders of the marginal sinus are not readily identified. The sinus lining cell is abnormally shaped. Also note that RBC come very close to the margin of white pulp. MS, marginal sinus; MZ, marginal zone; RC, reticular cell; SLC, sinus lining cell; WP, white pulp. Bar, 5 µm.

 
In contrast, the splenic marginal sinus lining cells in L1 KO mice were difficult to find. Marginal sinus lining cells in L1 KO mice did not regularly contact other sinus lining cells to form a continuous white pulp border. Rather, they displayed an abnormal stellate, rather than a flattened, linear cell shape. Their cytoplasmic processes were shorter, oriented in random directions, and often discontinuous from the adjacent sinus lining cells. These features are readily apparent in Fig. 2Go (right) and Fig. 3Go (bottom). In Fig. 2Go, the red and white pulp can be readily distinguished by the location of pale blue-staining erythrocytes. Arrows ("SLC") identify misshapen sinus lining cells, and a series of arrowheads outline the presumed white pulp border. In L1 KO mice, this border is often difficult to identify. The marginal sinus is absent. One of the stellate-shaped sinus lining cells is shown at higher magnification in Fig. 3Go (bottom) ("SLC").

Normally, the marginal sinus is delimited by sinus lining cells of the white pulp and the opposing reticular cells adjacent to marginal zone. Few RBC are found in the marginal sinus (Fig. 2Go, left, and Fig. 3Go, top). However, in the L1 KO spleen, this anatomic distinction is absent. The reticular cells of the marginal zone are rare, and the marginal sinus is no longer distinguishable as a structure distinct from the marginal zone. As a result, RBC migrate right up to the white pulp border (Fig. 2Go, right, and Fig. 3Go, bottom). These data demonstrate that the splenic marginal sinus in L1 KO mice is abnormal. Moreover, the cellular abnormality spatially correlates with the abnormal pattern of laminin immunofluorescence staining as previously shown in Fig. 1Go.

L1 expression on sinus lining cells

We then examined whether L1 expression in wild-type mice spatially correlates with the abnormally formed marginal sinus lining cells in L1 KO mice. We expect that if the absence of L1 is the cause of the structural abnormality, then those cells at the white pulp border will likely express L1 under normal circumstances. By examining the splenic structure of normal BALB/cByJ mice, we localized L1 expression to the edge of the white pulp by immunofluorescence staining using an L1 mAb. L1+ lining cells are present in the periphery of the white pulp, at the same approximate location as the marginal sinus (Fig. 4Go). We sometimes found that L1+ staining almost completely circumscribed the entire white pulp (Fig. 4Go, left). However, most of time, only part of white pulp margin was stained (Fig. 4Go, right, and Fig. 5Go, top). L1 staining is denoted by double arrows at the white pulp periphery. We also noted intense staining around the central artery in the center of the white pulp. Two-color staining for tyrosine hydroxylase demonstrated that the periarteriolar staining was due to the expression of L1 by sympathetic neurons innervating the spleen (data not shown). However, such neurons did not innervate the marginal sinus. In addition, lymphocytes within the white pulp also weakly expressed L1 (Fig. 4Go, left). Low levels of lymphocyte L1 expression have been described previously (17).



View larger version (39K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIGURE 4. L1 expression on the margin of the white pulp. Splenic sections 32 µm thick (left) or 6 µm thick (right) from BALB/c mice were stained with the rat anti-mouse L1 mAb 324. Double arrows outline the margin of the white pulp. L1 is strongly expressed on cells at the white pulp margin and cells around the central artery (left). Also note that some lymphocytes weakly expressed L1 (left). CA, central artery; RP, red pulp; WP, white pulp. Bar, 200 µm (left) or 50 µm (right).

 


View larger version (38K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIGURE 5. The expression of L1 on MAdCAM-1+ sinus lining cells. Splenic sections (6 µm) were stained with 324 mAb (FITC, green color) and anti-MAdCAM-1 (Texas Red, red color). The pictures were taken using an FITC filter (top), a Texas Red filter (middle) or a double exposure of both filters (bottom). The arrows indicate the margin of white pulp and the staining of both L1 and MAdCAM-1. Some nerve fibers around the central arteriole and inside the white pulp also express L1 (top, N). L1 and MAdCAM-1 staining colocalize at the margin of white pulp (bottom). RP, red pulp; WP, white pulp; N, nerve fiber. Bar, 50 µm.

 
The area of the marginal sinus/marginal zone contains a variety of specialized cell types. To pin down the precise location of L1 expression within this area, we performed colocalization studies using two-color immunofluorescence. L1 was stained using fluorescein while other cell type-specific markers were stained with Texas Red. Optical filters were used that do not allow spillover into the other respective color. Because the sinus lining cells of the splenic marginal sinus are described to express MAdCAM-1 (29), we compared the localization of L1 and MAdCAM-1. Fig. 5Go shows the staining pattern of L1, MAdCAM-1, and a two-color overlay of both (top, middle, and bottom, respectively). As seen in the bottom panel, L1 and MAdCAM-1 colocalize along the margin of the white pulp, indicating that the L1+ cells at the margin of white pulp are sinus lining cells. Moreover, these L1+ sinus lining cells sometimes expressed high levels of vimentin (data not shown), often associated with a mesenchymal, probably fibroblast-like origin (30). Marginal metallophilic macrophages (MMM) that express MOMA-1, situated at the margin of white pulp, did not express L1 (data not shown). A separate macrophage population in the marginal zone and red pulp areas that expresses CD11b also did not express L1 (data not shown).

These results indicate that L1 is expressed by MAdCAM-1+ sinus lining cells. Moreover, the location of L1 expression in wild type mice correlates with the location of the structural abnormalities (marginal sinus) in L1 KO mice.

Cellular analysis of L1 KO spleens

We then examined whether cell populations inside the white pulp or around the marginal sinus were affected by the malformation in the marginal sinus and sinus lining cells in L1 KO mice. The individual cell types were identified with cell type-specific Abs, either in situ or by flow cytometry. Because the abnormalities we found were concentrated in the marginal sinus and marginal zone, we examined two different cell populations known to inhabit this microanatomic region. Namely, we determined whether MMMs and marginal zone B lymphocytes were present and, if so, whether they are located in their normal anatomic location in L1 KO mice. As previously mentioned, there is a rim of MMMs situated at the margin of the white pulp, in the marginal zone. MMMs in L1 KO mice were examined by double staining of splenic sections with anti-laminin and MOMA-1 (Fig. 6Go, A and B). The laminin counterstain helps identify the white pulp border. In contrast to the wild-type mice (and as previously described), L1 KO mice display an irregular, poorly defined white pulp border (Fig. 6Go, A and B). Nonetheless (and similar to wild-type mice), L1KO mice demonstrate a rim of MMMs located along the white pulp border (Fig. 6Go, A and B). This finding suggests that L1 is not solely responsible for their localization in the marginal zone. Similarly, the location and the approximate number (as estimated using immunofluorescence microscopy) of IgMhighIgDlow marginal zone B cells in L1 KO mice were comparable with those of wild-type mice (Fig. 6Go, C and D). These cells are those that stain bright green (IgM) along the edge of the follicle in Fig. 6Go, C and D. B lymphocytes that coexpress high levels of IgM and IgD are stained orange, from the combination of green and red. These results indicate that cell subsets associated with the marginal zone are not noticeably affected by the splenic structural abnormality in L1 KO mice.



View larger version (111K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIGURE 6. Cellular analysis of L1 KO spleens. Splenic sections from wild-type (A and C) or L1 KO mice (B and D) were stained to highlight cell subsets within the marginal zone. MMMs are stained green (fluorescein) in A and B and are counterstained with rabbit anti-mouse laminin (Texas Red). In A and B, the arrows indicate the white pulp border and the arrowheads denote the MMMs in the marginal zone. The poorly defined white pulp border in L1 KO mice (B). IgMhigh IgDlow marginal zone B lymphocytes are highlighted in C and D. These cells are bright green after staining with for IgD (Texas Red) and IgM (FITC) (C and D). In C and D, opposing arrows point out the IgMhighIgDlow marginal zone B cells. BF, B cell follicle; RP, red pulp; WP, white pulp. Bar, 50 µm.

 
Table IGo summarizes our findings regarding follicle development and segregation of T/B lymphocytes in L1 KO mice. We find these parameters to be indistinguishable from wild-type mice. Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and interdigitating dendritic cells were also present in their normal locations (B and T cell zones, respectively) and approximate number, as estimated visually. After immunization, germinal centers (highlighted using a peanut agglutinin-biotin conjugate) also developed normally in L1 KO spleens (data summarized in Table IGo). Flow cytometric analysis also showed that the major T and B lymphocyte subsets in the L1 KO spleen were present in proportions comparable with those of wild-type littermates (Table IGo).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		Table I. Cellular analysis of L1 KO spleen

 
Immune response of L1 KO mice

To test whether the immune response is impaired in L1 KO mice, we injected L1 KO mice and littermate controls with SRBC i.p. on days 0 and 18. The anti-SRBC IgM and IgG immune responses were measured by ELISA using extracted soluble SRBC protein as Ag. As shown in Fig. 6Go, there is no significant difference in the IgM and IgG titers of both primary and secondary responses. This result indicates that L1 is not required for a T cell-dependent immune response.


   Discussion
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
References
 
In this report, we investigate the role of L1 in the development of normal splenic structure using L1-deficient mice. Using these mice, we were able to analyze the role of L1 in lymphoid organ development over longer time periods than otherwise possible using L1-specific mAbs. Therefore, these data provide a molecular/structural correlation, implicating L1 in the development of the white pulp border. Specifically, we conclude that L1 serves a critical and highly selective role in the development of the splenic marginal sinus. These data help define a poorly characterized sinusoidal boundary that defines the border of the splenic white pulp, and across which mononuclear cells transmigrate to enter the white pulp.

Our most important finding is that L1 serves an important role in the structural integrity of this microanatomic region. Specifically, L1 is expressed on the flattened sinus lining cells at the white pulp border. The congenital absence of L1 results in nearly a complete absence of the marginal sinus and disorganization of RCs in the marginal zone. There were obvious gaps in the white pulp boundary, as discerned by light and electron microscopy. Nonetheless, the white pulp mononuclear cells still maintained their cohesion to each other and the ability to exclude other blood cellular elements, such as erythrocytes and granulocytes. Although the boundary was damaged, there was still a distinction between the white and red pulp in L1 KO mice. These observations lead us to conclude that other factors besides the structural integrity of the boundary also regulate cellular traffic into the white pulp.

The marginal zone, and possibly the marginal sinus, are the major sites of termination for the branches of central arteriole (4, 5, 6). Consequently, an important function of this region is to selectively channel certain cell types into the white pulp. Namely, the direction of blood flow is toward the red pulp, as indicated by the left-facing arrow (Fig. 7Go). Representative blood cells such as erythrocytes and granulocytes are abundantly found in the red pulp and marginal zone. Selected mononuclear cells, on the other hand, migrate into the white pulp. As a result, the marginal sinus (the area immediately adjacent to the white pulp) is rich in mononuclear cells but has few other blood cells, such as erythrocytes or granulocytes. The mechanisms underlying this selective migration are poorly understood. One possibility is that most blood cells are passively steered along with the flow of blood toward the splenic red pulp. To enter the splenic white pulp, mononuclear cells probably must actively locomote, possibly under the influence of chemoattractant agents such as chemokines. If this hypothesis is correct, then partial defects in the reticular lining of the splenic white pulp might have minimal effect on the coalescence of mononuclear cells forming a white pulp.



View larger version (39K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIGURE 7. Immune response of L1 KO mice to SRBC. Four male L1 KO mice and their littermate controls (in a C57BL/6 x 129 background) were immunized with 5 x 108 SRBC i.p. on day 0 and rechallenged with 3 x 108 SRBC i.p. on day 18. Sera were collected at days 7, 14, and 25. The titers of anti-SRBC IgM (A) and anti-SRBC IgG (B) were determined by ELISA. Mean ± SE is represented. For both IgM and IgG titers, there are no statistically significant differences between the L1 KO mice and littermate controls.

 
What role does L1 serve in the development and maintenance of the normal integrity of the marginal sinus lining? We envision two likely possibilities. First, L1 may be involved in the adhesion of sinus lining cells to their associated reticular fibers. Laminin is a component of the extracellular matrix at the white pulp periphery (28) and is a known ligand for L1 (31). Second, L1 may be involved in the intercellular interaction between adjacent sinus lining cells. This interaction may be mediated by a homotypic interaction of L1 on adjacent sinus lining cells.

The biological significance of marginal sinus lining cells lies in the fact that it is the final physical barrier that mononuclear cells must traverse before entering the white pulp (32). This "transmigration" across the white pulp sinusoidal border is as yet poorly characterized. Certain features suggest that novel mechanisms, distinct from those in blood vascular transmigration, are involved. For example, the shear force and blood flow velocity in the marginal sinus may be lower than those in postcapillary venules. This supposition is based on the fact that the marginal sinus and marginal zone are relatively open spaces as compared with a postcapillary venule. Consequently, it is likely that the initial rolling step, negotiating initial contact between a leukocyte and endothelium, is absent in the marginal sinus.

Fig. 8Go is a schematic representation of the microanatomy at the red-white pulp border of wild-type mice. The white and red pulp boundaries, marginal sinus, and marginal zone are delineated by flattened, elongated reticular cells. These reticular cells comprise the marginal sinus lining cells and reticular cells of the marginal zone. They are distinct from endothelium, because they do not assume a tall, activated morphology and do not express CD31 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), a marker for endothelial cells. Also present at the red-white pulp border are some rather unique cell types, including MMMs, a subset of B lymphocytes expressing the IgMhighIgDlow immunophenotype, and a subset of marginal zone macrophages. Of minor note is that we observed the MMMs to be located just outside the white pulp boundary. A previous description of MMMs placed them just inside the white pulp boundary (5). This location was discerned using two-color immunofluorescence; MOMA-1 Abs identified MMMs whereas laminin identified the extracellular matrix of the white pulp boundary.



View larger version (30K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
  		FIGURE 8. Schematic representation of microanatomy of white-red pulp border. PMN, polymorphonuclear leukocyte.

 
Apart from L1, the only other well-characterized adhesion molecule expressed by marginal sinus lining cells is MAdCAM-1 (29). MAdCAM-1 is also an Ig superfamily adhesion molecule. It is expressed by mucosal venules and is responsible for the homing of lymphocytes to Peyer’s patches and the intestinal lamina propria (33, 34). Its function on marginal sinus lining cells is not known. In this regard, L1 is the only adhesion molecule that is demonstrated to directly serve a function in the development and preservation of the splenic white pulp boundary.

In this paper, we describe that L1 expression on marginal sinus lining cells is somewhat heterogeneous. Namely, marginal sinus lining cells do not express L1 all the time. We believe that L1 is temporally regulated, in response to as yet unidentified signals. One of these signals may the cytokine TNF-{alpha}. Pancook et al. (18) identified TNF-{alpha} as capable of up-regulating L1 expression on human dendritic cells. In addition, our previously published findings suggest a temporal functional role for L1. We previously described our findings that L1 antagonism (with an L1 mAb) disrupted lymph node sinusoidal architecture, but only in LN undergoing remodeling after immune stimulation (24). Static, quiescent LN were not affected. Thus, L1 appears to be important during certain processes, such as matrix remodeling. L1 expression may therefore be temporally regulated, in response to immunological or inflammatory stimuli. We speculate that the heterogeneity in L1 expression among different marginal sinus lining cells may simply be due to variations in the basal rate of splenic white pulp remodeling.

The pattern of L1 expression on sinusoids that border lymphoid parenchyma suggests an analogous role to PECAM-1 (CD31) expression on vascular endothelium. Both interact in a homo- and heterotypic fashion, are expressed at low levels on hematopoietically derived cells, and are both in the Ig superfamily. PECAM-1 serves a role in the development and maintenance of vascular endothelium and leukocyte trafficking across vascular boundaries (35). Based on these similarities, it is possible that L1 may serve a similar role for mononuclear cell trafficking into the white pulp.

We found surprisingly little functional consequence of the structural abnormality in L1 KO mice. All major cell populations inside the white pulp and around the marginal sinus appeared to be present in normal proportions. Immune responses to SRBC also indicated that L1 was not required for a T dependent immune response. Immune responses to a soluble Ag, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, were also not appreciably different in L1 KO mice (data not shown). The absence of clear functional consequences suggests that either 1) the structural abnormalities were not sufficiently severe so as to cause functional deficits or 2) humoral immune responses are not a sensitive indicator of abnormalities in the marginal sinus.

In contrast to our studies in mice, the existence of the marginal sinus in the human spleen is controversial. For example, van Krieken et al. (36) reported finding no evidence for the presence of a human splenic marginal sinus. Schmidt et al. (37), on the other hand, used corrosion cast scanning electron microscopy to clearly demonstrate the presence of a marginal sinus in the human spleen. Interestingly, Steiniger et al. also failed to find a human marginal sinus. They attributed the findings of Schmidt et al. to capillaries in the "perifollicular zone," a zone that they claimed to be located between the marginal zone and the red pulp (38). In light of these contradictory conclusions over the very existence of a human splenic marginal sinus, it is not surprising that the function of the marginal sinus remains unclear. The identification of a new cell surface adhesion marker (L1) on marginal sinus lining cells may ultimately help contribute toward an understanding of the function of marginal sinus lining cells and thereby clarify this mystery.

Throughout our investigation, we noticed a varying degree of splenic structural abnormalities in L1 KO mice. Similar variability has been noticed in CNS abnormalities of L1 KO mice. Consistent with the previous report (8), the genetic background of L1 KO mice influences the resulting phenotype. The C57BL/6 background yielded few viable L1 KO offspring. However, the few L1 KO mice that were born in the C57BL/6 background demonstrated the most severe phenotypic abnormalities. By contrast, backcrossing of L1 female heterozygotes to a C57BL/6 x 129 F1 background yielded relatively normal proportions of L1 KO male offspring. However, we found few abnormalities in the lymphoid systems of these (C57BL/6 x 129 F1 background) L1 KO mice. These findings are reminiscent of the broad range of phenotypic abnormalities found in human genetic diseases involving L1 mutations (9, 16). The system is therefore probably multigeneic, with at least two functionally redundant proteins. We hypothesize that other adhesion molecules may also likely contribute to the normal integrity of the structural features we described. Presumably, different strains of mice may potentially express varying levels of functionally redundant molecules. Without such redundancy, the L1-null genotype is lethal or nearly so. With increasing levels of redundant molecule(s), the L1-null genotype has little to no phenotypic effect. There is ample precedent for such functional redundancy, such as among the selectins in mediating initial contact between leukocytes and vascular endothelium.

We previously reported that administration of an L1 mAb during an immune response disrupted the normal remodeling of the fibroblastic reticular system in LNs. In these L1 KO mice, we did not find any obvious abnormalities in LNs. This discrepancy might be due to functional compensation by other, as yet unidentified, L1-like molecules in LNs of L1 KO mice. Several L1 homologues have been identified in the nervous system (9, 39, 40), but their expression outside the nervous system is largely unexplored. Moreover, our previous report utilized a distinct model involving acute hypertrophic responses after immunization in normal mice. It is possible that the sudden disruption of L1 function by L1-specific Abs in a normal mouse may have greater structural consequences than congenital absence of L1.

Several genetically targeted mutant strains of mice, notably the family of lymphotoxin-{alpha}, lymphotoxin-ß, TNF, and their receptors, have been reported to have structural abnormalities in peripheral lymphoid organs (41). For example, the lymphotoxin-{alpha} KO mice developed structural abnormalities of the spleen, and a complete absence of LNs and Peyer’s patches (42). The TNF KO mice had a decreased number of Peyer’s patches and a defect in FDC development (43). We have observed that TNF and TNF receptor I/II KO mice have a similar irregularity of the white pulp border as that of L1 KO mice (data not shown). As expected, these mice also show an abnormal distribution of L1+ cells at the white pulp border. A naturally mutant mouse strain, aly/aly, also demonstrated severe developmental abnormalities in all peripheral lymphoid organs (44). Of particular interest, aly/aly mutant mice also had developmental abnormalities in the splenic marginal sinus (45). However, unlike all these other mutant strains, our L1 deficient mice had a selective defect on splenic marginal sinus development; no other structures were affected.

In summary, our findings indicate that L1 serves a crucial role in the proper development of the architecture at the white pulp border. The most notable defect resulting from this improper formation of white pulp lining was the near complete absence of the marginal sinus. These structural abnormalities correlate with the location of L1 expression in normal mice. By characterizing the molecular and functional features of the white pulp lining, we believe it may help shed light on the function of the splenic marginal sinus.


   Footnotes
 
1 This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grant 1R29AI34562 to S.A.B. Back

2 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Steven A. Bogen, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118. Back

3 Abbreviations used in this paper: LN, lymph node; FDC, follicular dendritic cell; KO, knockout; MMM, marginal metallophilic macrophage; NRIgG, normal nonimmune rat IgG; RT, room temperature; DAB, 3,3'-diaminobenzidine; SLC, sinus lining cell; RC, reticular cell; MAdCAM-1, mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1; PECAM-1, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1. Back

Received for publication December 22, 1999. Accepted for publication June 13, 2000.


   References
Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Kramer, R. H., S. D. Rosen, K. A. McDonald. 1988. Basement-membrane components associated with extracellular matrix of lymph node. Cell Tissue Res. 252:367.[Medline]
  2. Ushiki, T., O. Ohtani, K. Abe. 1995. Scanning electron microscopic studies of reticular framework in the rat mesenteric lymph node. Anat. Rec. 241:113.[Medline]
  3. Gretz, J. E., A. O. Anderson, S. Shaw. 1997. Cords, channels, corridors and conduits: critical architectural elements facilitating cell interactions in the lymph node cortex. Immunol. Rev. 156:11.[Medline]
  4. Weiss, L.. 1965. The structure of the normal spleen. Semin. Hematol. 11:205.
  5. Kraal, G.. 1992. Cells in the marginal zone of the spleen. Int. Rev. Cytol. 132:31.[Medline]
  6. Schmidt, E. E., I. C. MacDonald, A. C. Groom. 1988. Microcirculatory pathways in normal human spleen, demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy of corrosion casts. Am. J. Anat. 181:253.[Medline]
  7. Moos, M., R. Tacke, H. Scherer, D. Teplow, K. Fruh, M. Schachner. 1988. Neural adhesion molecule L1 as a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily with binding domains similar to fibronectin. Nature 334:701.[Medline]
  8. Dahme, M., U. Bartsch, R. Martini, B. Anliker, M. Schachner, N. Mantei. 1997. Disruption of mouse L1 gene leads to malformations of the nervous system. Nat. Genet. 17:346.[Medline]
  9. Hortsch, M.. 1996. The L1 family of neural cell adhesion molecules: old proteins performing new tricks. Neuron 17:587.[Medline]
  10. Seilheimer, B., E. Persohn, M. Schachner. 1989. Antibodies to the L1 adhesion molecule inhibit Schwann cell ensheathment of neurons in vitro. J. Cell Biol. 109:3095.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  11. Cohen, N. R., J. S. H. Taylor, L. B. Scott, R. W. Guillery, P. Soriano, A. J. W. Furley. 1997. Errors in corticospinal axon guidance in mice lacking the neural cell adhesion molecule L1. Curr. Biol. 8:26.
  12. Schachner, M.. 1997. Neural recognition molecules and synaptic plasticity. Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 9:627.[Medline]
  13. Grumet, M., G. M. Edelman. 1988. Neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule interacts with neurons and astroglia via different binding mechanisms. J. Cell Biol. 106:487.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  14. Burden-Gulley, S. M., M. Pendergast, V. Lemmon. 1997. The role of cell adhesion molecule L1 in axonal extension, growth cone motility and signal transduction. Cell Tissue Res. 290:415.[Medline]
  15. Wong, E. V., S. Kenwrick, P. Willems, V. Lemmon. 1995. Mutations in the cell adhesion molecule L1 cause mental retardation. Trends Neurosci. 18:168.[Medline]
  16. Fransen, E., G. V. Camp, L. Vits, P. J. Willems. 1997. L1-associated diseases: clinical geneticists divide, molecular geneticists unite. Hum. Mol. Genet. 6:1625.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  17. Kowitz, A., G. Kadmon, M. Eckert, V. Schirrmacher, M. Schachner, P. Altevogt. 1992. Expression and function of the neural cell adhesion molecule L1 in mouse leukocytes. Eur. J. Immunol. 22:1199.[Medline]
  18. Pancook, J. D., R. A. Reisfeld, N. Varki, A. Vitiello, R. I. Fox, A. M. Montgomery. 1997. Expression and regulation of the neural cell adhesion molecule L1 on human cells of myelomonocytic and lymphoid origin. J. Immunol. 158:4413.[Abstract]
  19. Thor, G., R. Probstmeier, M. Schachner. 1987. Characterization of the cell adhesion molecules L1, N-CAM and J1 in the mouse intestine. EMBO J. 6:2581.[Medline]
  20. Kujat, R., F. Miragall, D. Krause, R. Dermietzel, K. Wrobel. 1995. Immunolocalization of the neural cell adhesion molecule L1 in non-proliferating epithelial cells of the male urogenital tract. Histochem. Cell Biol. 103:311.[Medline]
  21. Nolte, C., M. Moos, M. Schachner. 1999. Immunolocalization of the neural cell adhesion molecule L1 in epithelia of rodents. Cell Tissue Res. 298:261.[Medline]
  22. Hubbe, M., A. Kowitz, V. Schirrmacher, M. Schachner, P. Altevogt. 1993. L1 adhesion molecule on mouse leukocytes: regulation and involvement in endothelial cell binding. Eur. J. Immunol. 23:2927.[Medline]
  23. Debiec, H., E. I. Christensen, P. M. Ronco. 1998. The cell adhesion molecule L1 is developmentally regulated in the renal epithelium and is involved in kidney branching morphogenesis. J. Cell Biol. 143:2067.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  24. DiSciullo, G., T. Donahue, M. Schachner, S. A. Bogen. 1998. L1 antibodies block lymph node fibroblastic reticular matrix remodeling in vivo. J. Exp. Med. 187:1953.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  25. Kraal, G., M. Breel, E. M. Janse, G. Brown. 1986. Langerhans cells, veiled cells, and interdigitating cells in the mouse recognized by a monoclonal antibody. J. Exp. Med. 163:981.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  26. Finkelman, F. D., A. Lees, R. Birnbaum, W. C. Gause, S. C. Morris. 1996. Dendritic cells can present antigen in vivo in a tolerogenic or immunogenic fashion. J. Immunol. 157:1406.[Abstract]
  27. Kosco, M. H., E. Pflugfelder, D. Gray. 1992. Follicular dendritic cell dependent adhesion and proliferation of B cell in vitro. J. Immunol. 148:2331.[Abstract]
  28. van den Berg, T. K., M. van der Ende, E. A. Dopp, G. Kraal, C. D. Dijkstra. 1993. Localization of ß1 integrins and their extracellular ligands in human lymphoid tissues. Am. J. Pathol. 143:1098.[Abstract]
  29. Kraal, G., K. Schornagel, P. R. Streeter, B. Holzmann, E. C. Butcher. 1995. Expression of the mucosal vascular addressin, MAdCAM-1, on the sinus-lining cells in the spleen. Am. J. Pathol. 147:763.[Abstract]
  30. Osborn, M., E. Debus, K. Weber. 1984. Monoclonal antibodies specific for vimentin. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 34:137.[Medline]
  31. Hall, H., S. Carbonetto, M. Schachner. 1997. L2/HNK-1 carbohydrate and ß1 integrin dependent neural cell adhesion to laminin-1. J. Neurochem. 68:544.[Medline]
  32. Goldschneider, I., D. D. McGregor. 1968. Migration of lymphocytes and thymocytes in the rat. I. The route of migration from blood to spleen and lymph nodes. J. Exp. Med. 127:155.[Abstract]
  33. Nakache, M., E. J. Berg, P. R. Streeter, E. C. Butcher. 1989. The mucosal vascular addressin is a tissue specific endothelial cell adhesion molecule for circulating lymphocytes. Nature 337:179.[Medline]
  34. Briskin, M. J., L. M. McEvoy, E. C. Butcher. 1993. MAdCAM-1 has homology to immunoglobulin and mucin-like adhesion receptor and to IgA1. Nature 363:461.[Medline]
  35. Bogen, S. A., J. Pak, M. Garifallou, X. Deng, W. A. Muller. 1994. Monoclonal antibody to murine PECAM-1 (CD31) blocks acute inflammation in vivo. J. Exp. Med. 179:1059.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  36. van Krieken, J. H. J. M., J. Te Velde, K. Kleiverda, L. Leenheers-Binnendijk, C. J. H. van de Velde. 1985. The human spleen: a histological study in splenectomy specimens embedded in methylmethacrylate. Histopathology 9:571.[Medline]
  37. Schmidt, E. E., I. C. MacDonald, A. C. Groom. 1993. Comparative aspects of splenic microcirculatory pathway in mammals: the region bordering the white pulp. Scanning Microsc. 7:613.[Medline]
  38. Steiniger, B., P. Barth, B. Herbst, A. Hartnell, P. R. Crocker. 1997. The species-specific structure of microanatomical compartments in the human spleen: strongly sialoadhesin-positive macrophages occur in perifollicular zone, but not in the marginal zone. Immunology 92:307.[Medline]
  39. Holm, J., R. Hillenbrand, V. Steuber, U. Bartsch, M. Moos, H. Lubbert, D. Montag, M. Schachner. 1996. Structural features of a close homologue of L1 (CHL1) in the mouse: a new member of the L1 family of neural recognition molecules. Eur. J. Neurosci. 8:1613.[Medline]
  40. Moscoso, L. M., J. R. Sanes. 1995. Expression of four immunoglobulin superfamily adhesion molecules (L1, Nr-CAM/Bravo, Neurofascin/ABGP, and N-CAM) in the developing mouse spinal cord. J. Comp. Neurol. 352:321.[Medline]
  41. Fu, Y.-X., D. D. Chaplin. 1999. Development and maturation of secondary lymphoid tissues. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 17:399.[Medline]
  42. DeTogni, P., J. Goellner, N. H. Ruddle, P. R. Streeter, A. Fick, S. Mariathasan, S. C. Smith, R. Carlson, L. P. Shornick, J. Strauss-Schoenberger, et al 1994. Abnormal development of peripheral lymphoid organs in mice deficient in lymphotoxin. Science 264:703.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  43. Pasparakis, M., L. Alexopoulou, M. Grell, K. Pfizenmaier, H. Bluethmann, G. Kollias. 1997. Peyer’s patch organogenesis is intact yet formation of B lymphocyte follicles is defective in peripheral lymphoid organs of mice deficient for tumor necrosis factor and its 55-kDa receptor. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:6319.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  44. Miyawaki, S., Y. Nakamura, H. Suzuka, M. Koba, R. Yasumizu, S. Ikehara, Y. Shibata. 1994. A new mutation, aly, that induces a generalized lack of lymph nodes accompanied by immunodeficiency in mice. Eur. J. Immunol. 24:429.[Medline]
  45. Koike, R., T. Nishimura, R. Yasumizu, H. Tanaka, Y. Hataba, T. Watanabe, S. Miyawaki, M. Miyasaka. 1996. The splenic marginal zone is absent in alymophoplastic aly mutant mice. Eur. J. Immunol. 26:669.[Medline]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Int ImmunolHome page
A. R. Ferguson, M. E. Youd, and R. B. Corley
Marginal zone B cells transport and deposit IgM-containing immune complexes onto follicular dendritic cells
Int. Immunol., October 1, 2004; 16(10): 1411 - 1422.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Histochem. Cytochem.Home page
G. B. ten Dam, T. Hafmans, J. H. Veerkamp, and T. H. van Kuppevelt
Differential Expression of Heparan Sulfate Domains in Rat Spleen
J. Histochem. Cytochem., June 1, 2003; 51(6): 727 - 739.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Immunol.Home page
D. Tarlinton, A. Light, D. Metcalf, R. P. Harvey, and L. Robb
Architectural Defects in the Spleens of Nkx2-3-Deficient Mice Are Intrinsic and Associated with Defects in Both B Cell Maturation and T Cell-Dependent Immune Responses
J. Immunol., April 15, 2003; 170(8): 4002 - 4010.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wang, S.-L.
Right arrow Articles by Bogen, S. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Wang, S.-L.
Right arrow Articles by Bogen, S. A.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Gene*