Immunohistochemical study on leukocyte adhesion molecules expressed on lymphatic endothelium.

Leukocyte adhesion molecules expressed on the lymphatic endothelium in human small intestine and submandibular lymph node were studied immunohistochemically. Lymphatic capillaries in the lamina propria, mucosal muscle layer, and submucosal connective tissue of the intestine and in the capsule of the lymph node showed strong expression of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1). A few lymphatic capillaries that weakly expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were found in the capsule of the lymph node but in the small intestine, no lymphatic capillaries expressed detectable amounts of ICAM-1. Lymphatic capillaries also did not express detectable amounts of endothelial cell-selectin in the small intestine and lymph node. When lymphocytes migrate from tissue into lymphatic capillaries, multiple adhesion molecules may not be required for the migration. PECAM-1, however, may contribute to adherence of lymphocytes to lymphatic endothelium and the expression of adhesion molecules on lymphatic endothelium may be different between tissues.