Detection of a sulfotransferase (HEC-GlcNAc6ST) in high endothelial venules of lymph nodes and in high endothelial venule-like vessels within ectopic lymphoid aggregates: relationship to the MECA-79 epitope

Am J Pathol. 2004 May;164(5):1635-44. doi: 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)63722-4.

Abstract

The interaction of L-selectin on lymphocytes with sulfated ligands on high endothelial venules (HEVs) of lymph nodes results in lymphocyte rolling and is essential for lymphocyte homing. The MECA-79 monoclonal antibody reports HEV-expressed ligands for L-selectin by recognizing a critical sulfation-dependent determinant on these ligands. HEC-GlcNAc6ST, a HEV-localized sulfotransferase, is essential for the elaboration of functional ligands within lymph nodes, as well as the generation of the MECA-79 epitope. Here, we use an antibody against murine HEC-GlcNAc6ST to study its expression in relationship to the MECA-79 epitope. In lymph nodes, the enzyme is expressed in the Golgi apparatus of high endothelial cells, in close correspondence with luminal staining by MECA-79. In lymph node HEVs of HEC-GlcNAc6ST-null mice, luminal staining by MECA-79 is almost abolished, whereas abluminal staining persists although reduced in intensity. HEV-like vessels in several examples of inflammation-associated lymphoid neogenesis, including nonobese diabetic mice, also exhibit concomitant expression of the sulfotransferase and luminal MECA-79 reactivity. The correlation extends to ectopic lymphoid aggregates within the pancreas of RIP-BLC mice, in which CXCL13 is expressed in islets. Analysis of the progeny of RIP-BLC by HEC-GlcNAc6ST-null mice establishes that the enzyme is responsible for the MECA-79 defined luminal ligands.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / chemistry*
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carbohydrate Sulfotransferases
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules*
  • DNA, Complementary / metabolism
  • Endothelium / enzymology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epitopes / chemistry
  • Ligands
  • Lymph Nodes / enzymology*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphocytes / enzymology
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Mucoproteins
  • Sulfotransferases / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Epitopes
  • L-selectin counter-receptors
  • Ligands
  • Madcam1 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mucoproteins
  • Sulfotransferases