ALCAM Mediates DC Migration Through Afferent Lymphatics and Promotes Allospecific Immune Reactions
Abstract
Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM, CD166) is a cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily and has been implicated in diverse pathophysiological processes including T cell activation, leukocyte trafficking, and (lymph)angiogenesis. However, exploring the therapeutic potential of ALCAM blockade in immune-mediated inflammatory disorders has been difficult due to the lack of antibodies with blocking activity toward murine ALCAM. In this study, we identified and characterized a monoclonal antibody with high affinity and specificity for murine ALCAM. This antibody reduced in vitro T cell activation induced by antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) as well as (trans)migration of murine DCs across lymphatic endothelial monolayers. Moreover, it reduced emigration of DCs from in vitro-cultured human skin biopsies. Similarly, antibody-based blockade of ALCAM reduced (lymph)angiogenic processes in vitro and decreased developmental lymphangiogenesis in vivo to levels observed in ALCAM-deficient mice. Since corneal allograft rejection is an important medical condition that also involves (lymph)angiogenesis, DC migration and T cell activation, we investigated the therapeutic potential of ALCAM blockade in murine corneal disease. Blocking ALCAM lead to DC retention in corneas and effectively prevented corneal allograft rejection. Considering that we also detected ALCAM expression in human corneal DCs and lymphatics, our findings identify ALCAM as a potential novel therapeutic target in human corneal allograft rejection. Show more
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https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000338876Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Frontiers in ImmunologyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Frontiers MediaSubject
ALCAM; dendritic Cell (DC); lymphatic vessel; lymphangiogenesis; DC migration; cornea; allograft rejection; blocking antibodyOrganisational unit
03463 - Neri, Dario (ehemalig) / Neri, Dario (former)
03816 - Halin Winter, Cornelia / Halin Winter, Cornelia
Funding
138330 - Elucidating the impact of inflammation on lymphatic vessel function and on the induction of adaptive immunity (SNF)
156269 - Elucidating the mechanism and the functional significance of leukocyte migration through afferent lymphatic vessels (SNF)
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