T lymphocyte locomotion in a three-dimensional collagen matrix. Expression and function of cell adhesion molecules.

T cell locomotion within the extracellular matrix may be mediated by cell adhesion molecules. We investigated the expression and function of beta 1- and beta 2-integrins and CD44 on human peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes locomoting in a 3-D type I collagen matrix. Paths of randomly selected T cells were digitized from time-lapse videorecordings and were quantitatively analyzed. After the blocking of CD49b with mAb Gi9, the locomotion of a defined locomotor subset (50% of spontaneously locomoting cells) was inhibited. Anti-CD49d mAb HP2/1 and an activating anti-CD44 mAb (J173), respectively, induced transient recruitment (< 1 h) of previously nonmotile cells (10 to 35%). In contrast to the J173-induced short-term locomotion, hyaluronan incorporated within the matrix promoted locomotion for > 2 h. No significant effects were present for anti-CD49f (GoH3) and -CD11a (25.3) mAbs. After the addition of IL-8 to the matrix, rapid induction of locomotion in 20 to 30% of the cells (control) was evident, which was virtually abolished by anti-alpha 2- and alpha 6-integrin, and -CD11a mAbs. Thus, the locomotion of nonactivated and IL-8-activated T cells may involve different sets of integrins. Using flow cytometry, the development of a CD49b+CD29highCD44lowL-selectinlow T cell phenotype independent of activation markers including CD25, CD27, CD28, VLA-4, and CD45RA- to CD45RO-transition was observed after 4 days in the matrix. The initial development of spontaneous locomotion in the collagen matrix, however, was not accompanied by alterations in CAM surface staining and, therefore, may involve functional CAM activation rather than involving an increase in surface expression.