De Keyser F, Elewaut D, De Wever N, Bensbaho K, Cuvelier C
Department of Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Baillieres Clin Rheumatol. 1996 Feb;10(1):25-39. doi: 10.1016/s0950-3579(96)80004-5.
The process of lymphocyte trafficking is mainly regulated by receptors that belong to a group of molecules referred to as adhesion molecules. These molecules can be divided, according to their molecular structure, into three broad families: the integrins; the selectins; and the immunoglobulin superfamily members. The alpha 4 beta 7 integrin is expressed on some lymphocytes with hallmarks of gut tropism. alpha 4 beta 7, among others, serves as a ligand for the mucosal vascular addressin MadCAM-1, which is selectively expressed on mucosal lymphoid organ high endothelial venules and on gut lamina propria venules. It is tempting to believe that related integrin receptors play a crucial role in the recirculation of activated lymphocytes between the gut mucosa and the synovial membrane.
