PSGL-1 regulates the migration and proliferation of CD8(+) T cells under homeostatic conditions

J Immunol. 2012 Feb 15;188(4):1638-46. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103026. Epub 2012 Jan 16.

Abstract

P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), a heavily glycosylated sialomucin expressed on most leukocytes, has dual function as a selectin ligand for leukocyte rolling on vascular selectins expressed in inflammation and as a facilitator of resting T cell homing into lymphoid organs. In this article, we document disturbances in T cell homeostasis present in PSGL-1(null) mice. Naive CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell frequencies were profoundly reduced in blood, whereas T cell numbers in lymph nodes and spleen were at or near normal levels. Although PSGL-1(null) T cells were less efficient at entering lymph nodes, they also remained in lymph nodes longer than PSGL-1(+/+) T cells, suggesting that PSGL-1 supports T cell egress. In addition, PSGL-1(null) CD8(+) T cell proliferation was observed under steady-state conditions and PSGL-1(null) CD8(+) T cells were found to be hyperresponsive to homeostatic cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-15. Despite these disturbances in T cell homeostasis, PSGL-1(null) mice exhibited a normal acute response (day 8) to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection but generated an increased frequency of memory T cells (day 40). Our observations demonstrate a novel pleiotropic influence of PSGL-1 deficiency on several aspects of T cell homeostasis that would not have been anticipated based on the mild phenotype of PSGL-1(null) mice. These potentially offsetting effects presumably account for the near-normal cellularity seen in lymph nodes of PSGL-1(null) mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Homeostasis
  • Interleukin-1 / immunology
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • Interleukin-4 / immunology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / blood
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / deficiency*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL

Substances

  • Interleukin-1
  • Interleukin-2
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • P-selectin ligand protein
  • Interleukin-4