Triggering of motile behavior in T lymphocytes via cross-linking of alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha L beta 2.

The mechanisms by which T lymphocytes are transformed from passively transported cells during circulation in the vascular system to actively migrating cells during extravasation are unknown. Therefore, the possibility that lymphocyte receptors are capable of inducing motility was investigated using a modified Boyden chamber assay. Cross-linking of alphaL beta2 and alpha4 beta1 on human T lymphocytes (T cell line and peripheral blood T cells) with immobilized mAbs induced motile behavior on fibronectin, laminin, collagen type IV, and poly-L-lysine. This induction of T cell migration was very potent and in most cases more efficient than pretreatment of the cells with phorbol esters. In contrast, control Abs to several other integrin- and non-integrin molecules present on T lymphocytes did not induce T cell migration. Anti-CD3 Abs themselves did not trigger motile behavior. However, anti-CD3 promoted T cell migration in the Boyden chamber system if present simultaneously with 40-kDa alpha4 beta1 binding fibronectin fragments or alphaL beta2 binding intercellular adhesion molecule-1/hIgG1Fc fusion proteins on the upper side of the filter. Abs to other surface components on T cells did not trigger motility when presented together with the 40-kDa fibronectin fragments or the intercellular adhesion molecule-1/hIgG1Fc fusion proteins. The induction of motile behavior could be blocked if the T cells were pretreated with Genistein and Calphostin C, indicating the involvement of a protein tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C-dependent signaling pathway in triggering of T cell motility via integrins. These results indicate that alphaL beta2 and alpha4 beta1 on T lymphocytes can selectively trigger motile behavior when cross-linked by their endothelial or extracellular matrix ligands. Furthermore, these data indicate that cross-linking of CD3 facilitates ligand binding and subsequent triggering of a motile phenotype by alphaL beta2 and alpha4 beta1.