a73 Lymphocyte Recirculation
a73 Cell-Adhesion Molecules
a73 Neutrophil Extravasation
a73 Lymphocyte Extravasation
a73 Chemokines—Key Mediators of Inflammation
a73 Other Mediators of Inflammation
a73 The Inflammatory Process
a73 Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Leukocyte Migration
and Inflammation
M
??? ????? ?? ?????????? ???? ???? ???
part of the body to another. This is espe-
cially true of lymphocytes, which circulate
continually in the blood and lymph and, in common with
other types of leukocytes, migrate into the tissues at sites of
infection or tissue injury. This recirculation not only in-
creases the chance that lymphocytes specific for a particular
antigen will encounter that antigen but also is critical to
development of an inflammatory response. Inflammation
is a complex response to local injury or other trauma; it is
characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Inflam-
mation involves various immune-system cells and numer-
ous mediators. Assembling and regulating inflammatory
responses would be impossible without the controlled
migration of leukocyte populations. This chapter covers the
molecules and processes that play a role in leukocyte migra-
tion, various molecules that mediate inflammation, and the
characteristic physiologic changes that accompany inflam-
matory responses.
Lymphocyte Recirculation
Lymphocytes are capable of a remarkable level of recircula-
tion, continually moving through the blood and lymph to
the various lymphoid organs (Figure 15-1). After a brief
transit time of approximately 30 min in the bloodstream,
nearly 45% of all lymphocytes are carried from the blood
directly to the spleen, where they reside for approximately
5 h. Almost equal numbers (42%) of lymphocytes exit from
the blood into various peripheral lymph nodes, where they
reside for about 12 h. A smaller number of lymphocytes
(10%) migrate to tertiary extralymphoid tissues by crossing
between endothelial cells that line the capillaries. These tis-
sues normally have few, if any, lymphoid cells but can import
them during an inflammatory response. The most immuno-
logically active tertiary extralymphoid tissues are those that
interface with the external environment, such as the skin
and various mucosal epithelia of the gastrointestinal, pul-
monary, and genitourinary tracts.
The process of continual lymphocyte recirculation allows
maximal numbers of antigenically committed lymphocytes
to encounter antigen. An individual lymphocyte may make a
complete circuit from the blood to the tissues and lymph
and back again as often as 1–2 times per day. Since only
about one in 10
5
lymphocytes recognizes a particular anti-
gen, it would appear that a large number of T or B cells must
contact antigen on a given antigen-presenting cell within a
short time in order to generate a specific immune response.
The odds of the small percentage of lymphocytes committed
to a given antigen actually making contact with that antigen
when it is present are elevated by the extensive recircula-
tion of lymphocytes. The likelihood of such contacts is
profoundly increased also by factors that regulate, organize,
and direct the circulation of lymphocytes and antigen-
presenting cells.
Cell-Adhesion Molecules
The vascular endothelium serves as an important “gate-
keeper,” regulating the movement of blood-borne molecules
chapter 15
FPO
Lymphocytes Attached to the Surface of a High-Endothelial Venule
and leukocytes into the tissues. In order for circulating leuko-
cytes to enter inflamed tissue or peripheral lymphoid organs,
the cells must adhere to and pass between the endothelial
cells lining the walls of blood vessels, a process called extra-
vasation. Endothelial cells express leukocyte-specific cell-
adhesion molecules (CAMs). Some of these membrane pro-
teins are expressed constitutively; others are expressed only
in response to local concentrations of cytokines produced
during an inflammatory response. Recirculating lympho-
cytes, monocytes, and granulocytes bear receptors that bind
to CAMs on the vascular endothelium, enabling these cells to
extravasate into the tissues.
In addition to their role in leukocyte adhesion to vascular
endothelial cells, CAMs on leukocytes also serve to increase
the strength of the functional interactions between cells of
the immune system. Various adhesion molecules have been
shown to contribute to the interactions between T
H
cells and
APCs, T
H
and B cells, and CTLs and target cells.
A number of endothelial and leukocyte CAMs have been
cloned and characterized, providing new details about the
extravasation process. Most of these CAMs belong to four
families of proteins: the selectin family, the mucin-like fam-
ily, the integrin family, and the immunoglobulin (Ig) super-
family (Figure 15-2).
SELECTINS The selectin family of membrane glycoproteins
has a distal lectin-like domain that enables these molecules
to bind to specific carbohydrate groups. Selectins interact
primarily with sialylated carbohydrate moieties, which are
often linked to mucin-like molecules. The selectin family
includes three molecules, designated L, E, and P. Most cir-
culating leukocytes express L-selectin, whereas E-selectin
and P-selectin are expressed on vascular endothelial cells.
Selectin molecules are responsible for the initial stickiness of
leukocytes to vascular endothelium.
MUCINS The mucins are a group of serine- and threonine-
rich proteins that are heavily glycosylated. Their extended
structure allows them to present sialylated carbohydrate
ligands to selectins. For example, L-selectin on leukocytes
recognizes sialylated carbohydrates on two mucin-like mole-
cules (CD34 and GlyCAM-1) expressed on certain endothelial
cells of lymph nodes. Another mucin-like molecule (PSGL-1)
found on neutrophils interacts with E- and P-selectin ex-
pressed on inflamed endothelium.
INTEGRINS The integrins are heterodimeric proteins (consist-
ing of an H9251 and a H9252 chain) that are expressed by leukocytes
and facilitate both adherence to the vascular endothelium and
other cell-to-cell interactions. The integrins are grouped into
categories according to which H9252 subunit they contain. Differ-
ent integrins are expressed by different populations of leuko-
cytes, allowing these cells to bind to different CAMs that
belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed along
the vascular endothelium. As described later, some integrins
must be activated before they can bind with high affinity to
their ligands. The importance of integrin molecules in leuko-
cyte extravasation is demonstrated by leukocyte-adhesion de-
ficiency (LAD), an autosomal recessive disease described later
in this chapter (see the Clinical Focus). It is characterized by
recurrent bacterial infections and impaired healing of wounds.
ICAMS Several adhesion molecules contain a variable num-
ber of immunoglobulin-like domains and thus are classified
in the immunoglobulin superfamily. Included in this group
are ICAM-1, ICAM-2, ICAM-3, and VCAM, which are ex-
pressed on vascular endothelial cells and bind to various
integrin molecules. An important cell-adhesion molecule
called MAdCAM-1 has both Ig-like domains and mucin-like
domains. This molecule is expressed on mucosal endothe-
lium and directs lymphocyte entry into mucosa. It binds to
integrins by its immunoglobulin-like domain and to selectins
by its mucin-like domain.
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 339
Spleen
(5 h)
Bone marrow
Epithelial surface
Peritoneum
Activated
lymphocytes
Nonrecirculating
cells
Afferent
lymph
Naive
lymphocytes
(45%) (42%)
Efferent lymph
(52%)
Blood
lymphocyte pool
(30 min)
Lymph nodes
(12 h)
(?) (10%)
(10%)
Tertiary extralymphoid
tissue:
Mucosal epithelia in gut,
lungs, and genitourinary tracts
Liver
Brain
Skin
FIGURE 15-1 Lymphocyte recirculation routes. The percentage of
the lymphocyte pool that circulates to various sites and the average
transit times in the major sites are indicated. Lymphocytes migrate
from the blood into lymph nodes through specialized areas in post-
capillary venules called high-endothelial venules (HEVs). Although
most lymphocytes circulate, some sites appear to contain lympho-
cytes that do not. [Adapted from A. Ager, 1994, Trends Cell Biol. 4:326.]
Neutrophil Extravasation
As an inflammatory response develops, various cytokines
and other inflammatory mediators act upon the local blood
vessels, inducing increased expression of endothelial CAMs.
The vascular endothelium is then said to be activated, or
inflamed. Neutrophils are generally the first cell type to bind
to inflamed endothelium and extravasate into the tissues. To
accomplish this, neutrophils must recognize the inflamed
endothelium and adhere strongly enough so that they are not
swept away by the flowing blood. The bound neutrophils
must then penetrate the endothelial layer and migrate into
the underlying tissue. Monocytes and eosinophils extravasate
by a similar process, but the steps have been best established
for the neutrophil, so we focus on neutrophils here.
The process of neutrophil extravasation can be divided into
four sequential steps: (1) rolling, (2) activation by chemoat-
tractant stimulus, (3) arrest and adhesion, and (4) transendo-
thelial migration (Figure 15-3a). In the first step, neutrophils
attach loosely to the endothelium by a low-affinity selectin-
carbohydrate interaction. During an inflammatory response,
cytokines and other mediators act upon the local endothe-
lium, inducing expression of adhesion molecules of the selec-
tin family. These E- and P-selectin molecules bind to mucin-
like cell-adhesion molecules on the neutrophil membrane or
with a sialylated lactosaminoglycan called sialyl Lewis
x
(Figure
15-3b). This interaction tethers the neutrophil briefly to the
endothelial cell, but the shear force of the circulating blood
soon detaches the neutrophil. Selectin molecules on another
endothelial cell again tether the neutrophil; this process is
repeated so that the neutrophil tumbles end-over-end along
the endothelium, a type of binding called rolling.
As the neutrophil rolls, it is activated by various chemoat-
tractants; these are either permanent features of the endo-
thelial cell surface or secreted locally by cells involved in the
inflammatory response. Among the chemoattractants are
members of a large family of chemoattractive cytokines called
chemokines. Two chemokines involved in the activation
process are interleukin 8 (IL-8) and macrophage inflamma-
tory protein (MIP-1H9252). However, not all chemoattractants
belong to the chemokine group. Other chemoattractants are
platelet-activating factor (PAF), the complement split prod-
ucts C5a, C3a, and C5b67 and various N-formyl peptides pro-
duced by the breakdown of bacterial proteins during an infec-
tion. Binding of these chemoattractants to receptors on the
neutrophil membrane triggers an activating signal mediated
by G proteins associated with the receptor. This signal induces
a conformational change in the integrin molecules in the neu-
340 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
SS
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
Ig domains
Lectin domain
Mucin-like CAMs
Integrins
βα
CHO side
chains
Ig-superfamily CAMs
Selectins
(a) General structure of CAM families
Fibrinonectin-type
domains
(b) Selected CAMs belonging to each family
Mucin-like CAMs:
GlyCAM-1
CD34
PSGL-1
MAdCAM-1
Selectins:
L-selectin
P-selectin
E-selectin
Ig-superfamily CAMs:
ICAM-1, -2, -3
VCAM-1
LFA-2 (CD2)
LFA-3 (CD58)
MAdCAM-1
Integrins:
α4β1 (VLA-4, LPAM-2)
α4β7 (LPAM-1)
α6β1 (VLA-6)
αLβ2 (LFA-1)
αMβ2 (Mac-1)
αXβ2 (CR4, p150/95)
FIGURE 15-2 Schematic diagrams depicting the general structures
of the four families of cell-adhesion molecules (a) and a list of repre-
sentative molecules in each family (b). The lectin domain in selectins
interacts primarily with carbohydrate (CHO) moieties on mucin-like
molecules. Both component chains in integrin molecules contribute to
the binding site, which interacts with an Ig domain in CAMs belonging
to the Ig superfamily. MAdCAM-1 contains both mucin-like and Ig-like
domains and can bind to both selectins and integrins.
trophil membrane, increasing their affinity for the Ig-super-
family adhesion molecules on the endothelium. Subsequent
interaction between integrins and Ig-superfamily CAMs stabi-
lizes adhesion of the neutrophil to the endothelial cell, enabl-
ing the cell to adhere firmly to the endothelial cell.
Subsequently, the neutrophil migrates through the vessel
wall into the tissues. The steps in transendothelial migration
and how it is directed are still largely unknown; they may be
mediated by further activation by chemoattractants and sub-
sequent integrin–Ig-superfamily interactions or by a separate
migration stimulus.
Lymphocyte Extravasation
Various subsets of lymphocytes exhibit directed extravasa-
tion at inflammatory sites and secondary lymphoid organs.
The recirculation of lymphocytes thus is carefully controlled
to ensure that appropriate populations of B and T cells are
recruited into different tissues. As with neutrophils, extrava-
sation of lymphocytes involves interactions among a number
of cell-adhesion molecules (Table 15-1). The overall process
is similar to what happens during neutrophil extravasation
and comprises the same four stages of contact and rolling,
activation, arrest and adhesion, and, finally, transendothelial
migration.
High-Endothelial Venules Are Sites
of Lymphocyte Extravasation
Some regions of vascular endothelium in postcapillary
venules of various lymphoid organs are composed of special-
ized cells with a plump, cuboidal (“high”) shape; such re-
gions are called high-endothelial venules, or HEVs (Figure
15-4a, b). Their cells contrast sharply in appearance with the
flattened endothelial cells that line the rest of the capillary.
Each of the secondary lymphoid organs, with the exception
of the spleen, contains HEVs. When frozen sections of lymph
nodes, Peyer’s patches, or tonsils are incubated with lympho-
cytes and washed to remove unbound cells, over 85% of the
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 341
Endothelium
(a) Rolling Activation Arrest/
adhesion
Transendothelial
migration
1 2 3 4
(b)
Step
2
Step
3
Step
1
Neutrophil
Integrin
Ig-superfamily
CAME-selectin
Chemokine or
chemoattractant
receptor
Mucin-like
CAM
Chemokine
(IL-8)
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
FIGURE 15-3 (a) The four sequential
but overlapping steps in neutrophil ex-
travasation. (b) Cell-adhesion molecules
and chemokines involved in the first three
steps of neutrophil extravasation. Initial
rolling is mediated by binding of E-selectin
molecules on the vascular endothelium to
sialylated carbohydrate moieties on mucin-
like CAMs. A chemokine such as IL-8 then
binds to a G-protein–linked receptor on
the neutrophil, triggering an activating sig-
nal. This signal induces a conformational
change in the integrin molecules, enabling
them to adhere firmly to Ig-superfamily
molecules on the endothelium.
Go to www.whfreeman.com/immunology Animation
Leukocyte Extravasation
bound cells are found adhering to HEVs, even though HEVs
account for only 1%–2% of the total area of the frozen sec-
tion (Figure 15-4c).
It has been estimated that as many as 1.4 H11003 10
4
lympho-
cytes extravasate every second through HEVs into a single
lymph node. The development and maintenance of HEVs in
lymphoid organs is influenced by cytokines produced in re-
sponse to antigen capture. For example, HEVs fail to develop
in animals raised in a germ-free environment. The role of
antigenic activation of lymphocytes in the maintenance of
HEVs has been demonstrated by surgically blocking the af-
ferent lymphatic vasculature to a node, so that antigen entry
to the node is blocked. Within a short period of time, the
HEVs show impaired function and eventually revert to a
more flattened morphology.
High-endothelial venules express a variety of cell-adhesion
molecules. Like other vascular endothelial cells, HEVs express
CAMs of the selectin family (E- and P-selectin), the mucin-
like family (GlyCAM-1 and CD34), and the immunoglobulin
superfamily (ICAM-1, ICAM-2, ICAM-3, VCAM-1, and
MAdCAM-1). Some of these adhesion molecules are distrib-
uted in a tissue-specific manner. These tissue-specific adhe-
sion molecules have been called vascular addressins (VAs)
because they serve to direct the extravasation of different
populations of recirculating lymphocytes to particular lym-
phoid organs.
Lymphocyte Homing Is Directed
by Receptor Profiles and Signals
The general process of lymphocyte extravasation is similar to
neutrophil extravasation. An important feature distinguish-
ing the two processes is that different subsets of lymphocytes
migrate differentially into different tissues. This process is
called trafficking, or homing. The different trafficking pat-
terns of lymphocyte subsets are mediated by unique combi-
342 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
TABLE 15-1 Some interactions between cell-adhesion molecules implicated in leukocyte extravasation*
Ligands on Step involving
Receptor on cells Expression endothelium interaction
?
Main function
CLA or ESL-1 Effector T cells E-selectin Tethering/rolling Homing to skin and migration
into inflamed tissue
L-selectin All leukocytes GlyCAM-1, Tethering/rolling Lymphocyte recirculation
CD34, via HEVs to peripheral lymph
MAdCAM-1 nodes and migration into
inflamed tertiary sites
LFA-1 (H9251LH92522) Leukocyte ICAM-1, 2, 3 Adhesion/arrest General role in lymphocyte
subsets extravasation via HEVs and
leukocyte migration into
inflamed tissue
LPAM-1 (H92514H92527) Effector T cells, MAdCAM-1, Rolling/adhesion Homing of T cells to gut via
monocytes VCAM-1 mucosal HEV; migration into
inflamed tissue
Mac-1 (H9251MH92522) Monocytes VCAM-1 — Monocyte migration into
inflamed tissue
PSGL-1 Neutrophils E- and Tethering/rolling Neutrophil migration into
P-selectin inflamed tissue
VLA-4 (H92514H92521) Neutrophils, VCAM-1 Rolling/adhesion General role in leukocyte
T cells, MAdCAM-1, migration into inflamed tissue
monocytes fibronectin
VLA-6 (H92516H92521) T cells Laminin — Homing of progenitor T cells to
thymus; possible role in T-cell
homing to nonmucosal sites
*Most endothelial and leukocyte CAMs belong to four groups of proteins as shown in Figure 15-2. In general, molecules in the integrin family bind to Ig-superfamily
CAMs, and molecules in the selectin family bind to mucin-like CAMs. Members of the selectin and mucin-like families can be expressed on both leukocytes and
endothelial cells, whereas integrins are expressed only on leukocytes, and Ig-superfamily CAMs are expressed only on endothelium.
?
See Figures 15-3a and 15-7 for an illustration of steps in the extravasation process.
nations of adhesion molecules and chemokines; receptors
that direct the circulation of various populations of lympho-
cytes to particular lymphoid and inflammatory tissues are
called homing receptors. Researchers have identified a num-
ber of lymphocyte and endothelial cell-adhesion molecules
that participate in the interaction of lymphocytes with HEVs
and with endothelium at tertiary sites or sites of inflamma-
tion (see Table 15-1). As is described later, in the section on
chemokines, these molecules play a major role in determin-
ing the heterogeneity of lymphocyte circulation patterns.
Naive Lymphocytes Recirculate
to Secondary Lymphoid Tissue
A naive lymphocyte is not able to mount an immune re-
sponse until it has been activated to become an effector cell.
Activation of a naive cell occurs in specialized microenviron-
ments within secondary lymphoid tissue (e.g., peripheral
lymph nodes, Peyer’s patches, tonsils, and spleen). Within
these microenvironments, dendritic cells capture antigen
and present it to the naive lymphocyte, resulting in its activa-
tion. Naive cells do not exhibit a preference for a particular
type of secondary lymphoid tissue but instead circulate
indiscriminately to secondary lymphoid tissue throughout
the body by recognizing adhesion molecules on HEVs.
The initial attachment of naive lymphocytes to HEVs is
generally mediated by the binding of the homing receptor
L-selectin to adhesion molecules such as GlyCAM-1 and
CD34 on HEVs (Figure 15-5a). The trafficking pattern of
naive cells is designed to keep these cells constantly recircu-
lating through secondary lymphoid tissue, whose primary
function is to trap blood-borne or tissue-borne antigen.
Once naive lymphocytes encounter antigen trapped in a
secondary lymphoid tissue, they become activated and en-
large into lymphoblasts. Activation takes about 48 h, and
during this time the blast cells are retained in the paracortical
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 343
Lymphocytes
passing
across
the wall
Basement
membrane
High
endothelium
(a) (b)
(c)
FIGURE 15-4 (a) Schematic cross-sectional diagram of a lymph-
node postcapillary venule with high endothelium. Lymphocytes are
shown in various stages of attachment to the HEV and in migration
across the wall into the cortex of the node. (b) Scanning electron mi-
crograph showing numerous lymphocytes bound to the surface of a
high-endothelial venule. (c) Micrograph of frozen sections of lym-
phoid tissue. Some 85% of the lymphocytes (darkly stained) are
bound to HEVs (in cross section), which comprise only 1%–2% of
the total area of the tissue section. [Part (a) adapted from A. O.
Anderson and N. D. Anderson, 1981, in Cellular Functions in Immu-
nity and Inflammation, J. J. Oppenheim et al. (eds.), Elsevier, North-
Holland; part (b) from S. D. Rosen and L. M. Stoolman, 1987,
Vertebrate Lectins, Van Nostrand Reinhold; part (c) from S. D. Rosen,
1989, Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 1:913.]
region of the secondary lymphoid tissue. During this phase,
called the shut-down phase, the antigen-specific lympho-
cytes cannot be detected in the circulation (Figure 15-6).
Rapid proliferation and differentiation of naive cells occurs
during the shut-down phase. The effector and memory cells
that are generated by this process then leave the lymphoid tis-
sue and begin to recirculate.
Effector and Memory Lymphocytes Adopt
Different Trafficking Patterns
The trafficking patterns of effector and memory lympho-
cytes differ from those of naive lymphocytes. Effector cells
tend to home to regions of infection by recognizing inflamed
vascular endothelium and chemoattractant molecules that
are generated during the inflammatory response. Memory
lymphocytes, on the other hand, home selectively to the type
of tissue in which they first encountered antigen. Presumably
this ensures that a particular memory cell will return to the
tissue where it is most likely to reencounter a subsequent
threat by the antigen it recognizes.
Effector and memory cells express increased levels of cer-
tain cell-adhesion molecules, such as LFA-1, that interact
with ligands present on tertiary extralymphoid tissue (such
as skin and mucosal epithelia) and at sites of inflammation,
allowing effector and memory cells to enter these sites. Naive
cells lack corresponding cell-adhesion molecules and do not
home to these sites. Inflamed endothelium expresses a num-
ber of adhesion molecules, including E- and P-selectin and
the Ig-superfamily molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, that
bind to the receptors expressed at high levels on memory and
effector cells.
344 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
(a)
Naive T cell
L-selectinL-selectin
GlyCAM-1CD34
HEV
Tertiary extralymphoid tissue
LFA-1
LPAM-1
ICAM-1
E-selectin
CLA
(b)
L-selectin
LFA-1
ICAM-1
(c)
Mucosal-homing
effector T cell
Skin-homing
effector T cell
Intestinal lamina propria
endothelium
Skin dermal venule
endothelium
MAdCAM-1
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
FIGURE 15-5 Examples of homing receptors and vascular addres-
sins involved in selective trafficking of naive and effector T cells. (a) Naive
T cells tend to home to secondary lymphoid tissues through their HEV
regions. The initial interaction involves the homing receptor L-selectin
and mucin-like cell-adhesion molecules such as CD34 or GlyCAM-1 ex-
pressed on HEV cells. (b, c) Various subsets of effector T cells express
high levels of particular homing receptors that allow them to home
to endothelium in particular tertiary extralymphoid tissues. The initial
interactions in homing of effector T cells to mucosal and skin sites are
illustrated.
2468
Days following antigen exposure
Shut-down phase
Antigen-specific
T cells in efferent lymph
FIGURE 15- 6 T-cell activation in the paracortical region of a lymph
node results in the brief loss of lymphocyte recirculation. During this
shut-down phase, antigen-specific T cells cannot be detected leaving
the node in the efferent lymph.
Unlike naive lymphocytes, subsets of the memory and
effector populations exhibit tissue-selective homing behavior.
Such tissue specificity is imparted not by a single adhesion
receptor but by different combinations of adhesion molecules.
For example, a mucosal homing subset of memory/effector
cells has high levels of the integrins LPAM-1 (H9252H92514H92527) and
LFA-1 (H9251Lb2), which bind to MAdCAM and various ICAMs
on intestinal lamina propria venules (see Figure 15-5b). How-
ever, these cells avoid direction to secondary lymphoid tissues
because they have low levels of the L-selectin that would facil-
itate their entry into secondary lymphoid tissue. A second sub-
set of memory/effector cells displays preferential homing to
the skin. This subset also expresses low levels of L-selectin but
displays high levels of cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA)
and LFA-1, which bind to E-selectin and ICAMs on dermal
venules of the skin (see Figure 15-5c). Although effector and
memory cells that express reduced levels of L-selectin do not
tend to home through HEVs into peripheral lymph nodes,
they can enter peripheral lymph nodes through the afferent
lymphatic vessels.
Adhesion-Molecule Interactions Play
Critical Roles in Extravasation
The extravasation of lymphocytes into secondary lymphoid
tissue or regions of inflammation is a multistep process in-
volving a cascade of adhesion-molecule interactions similar
to those involved in neutrophil emigration from the blood-
stream. Figure 15-7 depicts the typical interactions in ex-
travasation of naive T cells across HEVs into lymph nodes.
The first step is usually a selectin-carbohydrate interaction
similar to that seen with neutrophil adhesion. Naive lympho-
cytes initially bind to HEVs by L-selectin, which serves as a
homing receptor that directs the lymphocytes to particular
tissues expressing a corresponding mucin-like vascular ad-
dressin such as CD34 or GlyCAM-1. Lymphocyte rolling is
less pronounced than that of neutrophils. Although the ini-
tial selectin-carbohydrate interaction is quite weak, the slow
rate of blood flow in postcapillary venules, particularly in
regions of HEVs, reduces the likelihood that the shear force
of the flowing blood will dislodge the tethered lymphocyte.
In the second step, an integrin-activating stimulus is medi-
ated by chemokines that are either localized on the endothelial
surface or secreted locally. The thick glycocalyx covering of the
HEVs may function to retain these soluble chemoattractant
factors on the HEVs. If, as some have proposed, HEVs secrete
lymphocyte-specific chemoattractants, it would explain why
neutrophils do not extravasate into lymph nodes at the HEVs
even though they express L-selectin. Chemokine binding to
G-protein–coupled receptors on the lymphocyte leads to acti-
vation of integrin molecules on the membrane, as occurs in
neutrophil extravasation. Once activated, the integrin mole-
cules interact with Ig-superfamily adhesion molecules (e.g.,
ICAM-1), so the lymphocyte adheres firmly to the endothe-
lium. The molecular mechanisms involved in the final step,
transendothelial migration, are poorly understood.
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 345
L-selectin
Naive
T cell
Chemokine
LFA-1
ICAM-1
CD34
HEV
Rolling
1
Activation
2
Arrest/adhesion
3
Transendothelial
migration
4
FIGURE 15-7 Steps in extravasation of a naive T cell through a high-
endothelial venule into a lymph node. Extravasation of lymphocytes in-
cludes the same basic steps as neutrophil extravasation but some of the
cell-adhesion molecules differ. Activation of the integrin LFA-1, induced
by chemokine binding to the lymphocyte, leads to firm adhesion fol-
lowed by migration between the endothelial cells into the tissue.
Chemokines—Key Mediators
of Inflammation
Chemokines are a superfamily of small polypeptides, most of
which contain 90–130 amino acid residues. They selectively,
and often specifically, control the adhesion, chemotaxis, and
activation of many types of leukocyte populations and sub-
populations. Consequently, they are major regulators of leu-
kocyte traffic. Some chemokines are primarily involved in
inflammatory processes, others are constitutively expressed
and play important homeostatic or developmental roles.
“Housekeeping” chemokines are produced in lymphoid or-
gans and tissues or in non-lymphoid sites such as skin, where
they direct normal trafficking of lymphocytes, such as deter-
mining the correct positioning of leukocytes newly generated
by hematopoiesis and arriving from bone marrow. The thy-
mus constitutively expresses chemokines, and normal B cell
lymphopoiesis is also dependent on appropriate chemokine
expression. Chemokine-mediated effects are not limited to
the immune system. Mice that lack either the chemokine
CXCL12 (also called SDF-1) or its receptor (see Table 15-2)
show major defects in the development of the brain and the
heart. Members of the chemokine family have also been
shown to play regulatory roles in the development of blood
vessels (angiogenesis), and wound healing.
The inflammatory chemokines are typically induced in
response to infection. Contact with pathogens or the action of
proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-H9251, up-regulate the
expression of inflammatory cytokines at sites of developing
inflammation. Chemokines cause leukocytes to move into
various tissue sites by inducing the adherence of these cells to
the vascular endothelium. After migrating into tissues, leuko-
cytes are attracted toward high localized concentrations of
chemokines resulting in the targeted recruitment of phago-
cytes and effector lymphocyte populations to inflammatory
sites. The assembly of leukocytes at sites of infection, orches-
trated by chemokines, is an essential part of mounting an
appropriately focused response to infection.
More than 50 chemokines and at least 15 chemokine re-
ceptors have been described (Table 15-2).The chemokines
possess four conserved cysteine residues and based on the
position of two of the four invariant cysteine residues, almost
all fall into one or the other of two distinctive subgroups:
a73
C-C subgroup chemokines, in which the conserved
cysteines are contiguous;
a73
C-X-C subgroup chemokines, in which the conserved
cysteines are separated by some other amino acid (X).
Chemokine action is mediated by receptors whose poly-
peptide chain traverses the membrane seven times. There are
two subgroups of receptors, CC receptors (CCRs), which rec-
ognize CC chemokines, and CXC receptors (CXCRs), which
recognize CXC chemokines. As with cytokines, the interac-
tion between chemokines and their receptors is of high affin-
ity (K
a
> 10
9
) and high specificity. However, as Table 15-2
shows, most receptors bind more than one chemokine. For
example, CXCR2 recognizes at least six different chemokines,
and many chemokines can bind to more than one receptor.
When a receptor binds an appropriate chemokine, it acti-
vates heterotrimeric large G proteins, initiating a signal-
transduction process that generate such potent second
messengers as cAMP, IP
3
,Ca
2+
, and activated small G pro-
346 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
TABLE 15-2
Human chemokines and
their receptors*
Chemokine receptors Chemokines bound by receptor
CXC SUBGROUP
CXCR1 IL-8, GCP-2
CXCR2 IL-8, Gro-H9251, Gro-H9252, Gro-H9253,
NAP-2, ENA-78
CXCR3 IP-10, Mig, I-TAC
CXCR4 SDF-1, PBSF
CXCR5 BCA-1
CC SUBGROUP
CCR1 MIP-1, RANTES, MCP-2, MIP-5
CCR2 MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3
CCR3 Eotaxin, RANTES, MCP-2,
MCP-3, MCP-4, Eotaxin-2,
MIP-5
CCR4 TARC, RANTES
CCR5 MIP-1H9251 RANTES, MIP-1H9252
CCR6 Exodus-1
CCR7 ELC
CCR8 1-309
CCR10 MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3, RANTES
BOTH CC AND CXC SUBGROUPS
DARC (the Duffy Binds to a number of CC
antigen of RBCs) and CXC chemokines
*This table lists most known chemokine receptors but not all chemokines.
The full names for a number of the chemokines abbreviated in the table are
as follows: ELC (Ebl1 ligand chemokine); ENA-78 (epithelial-cell-derived
neutrophil-activating protein); GCP-2 (granulocyte chemotactic protein 2);
Gro-H9251, H9252, H9253 (growth-related oncogene H9251, H9252, H9253); MCP-1, 2, 3, or 4 (monocyte
chemoattractant protein 1, 2, 3, or 4); Mig (monokine induced by interferon
H9253); MIP-1H9251, 1H9252, or 5 (macrophage inflammatory protein 1H9251, 1H9252, or 5);
NAP-2 (netrophil-activating protein 2); RANTES (regulated upon activation,
normal T-cell expresssed and secreted); TARC (thymus- and activation-
regulated chemokine.)
SOURCE: Adapted from Nelson and Krensky, 1998, Curr. Opin. Immunol.
10:265, and Baggiolini, 1998, Nature 392:565.
teins (Figure 15-8). Dramatic changes are effected by the
chemokine-initiated activation of these signal transduction
pathways. Within seconds, the addition of an appropriate
chemokine to leukocytes causes abrupt and extensive changes
in shape, the promotion of greater adhesiveness to endothe-
lial walls by activation of leukocyte integrins, and the gener-
ation of microbicidal oxygen radicals in phagocytes. These
signal-transduction pathways promote other changes such as
the release of granular contents, proteases in neutrophils and
macrophages, histamine from basophils, and cytotoxic pro-
teins from eosinophils.
Chemokine-Receptor Profiles Mediate
Leukocyte Activity
Among major populations of human leukocytes, neutrophils
express CXCR1, -2, and -4; eosinophils have CCR1 and CCR3
(Figure 15-9). While resting naive T cells display few types of
chemokine receptors, some activated T cells have CCR1, -2,
-3, and -5, CXCR3 and -4, and possibly others. Clearly, a
cell can respond to a chemokine only if it possesses a receptor
that recognizes it. Consequently, differences in the expression
of chemokine receptors by leukocytes coupled with the
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 347
α
β
γ
Differentiation,
proliferation
Cytoskeletal
rearrangement
Adhesion
Chemotaxis
?
Ras
Ca
2+
channels
Chemokine receptor
??
cAMP
Adenylyl
cyclase
G protein
PLCβ2
IP
3
DAG
Ca
2+
PKC
Actin polymerization
Neutrophil Basophil
Activation
T lymphocyte
Resting Activated
IL-2
CCR1
Eosinophil Monocyte
CCR2
CCR3
CCR4
CXR1
CXR2
CXR3
CXR4
FIGURE 15-8 Chemokines signal through re-
ceptors coupled with heterotrimeric large G pro-
teins. Binding of a chemokine to its receptor
activates many signal-transduction pathways, re-
sulting in a variety of modifications in the physiol-
ogy of the target cell. If the signal-transduction
pathway is not known or incompletely worked
out, dashed lines and question marks are used
here to represent probable pathways. [Adapted
from Premack et al., 1996, Nature Medicine
2:1174.]
FIGURE 15-9 Patterns of expression of some principal chemokine
receptors on different classes of human leukocytes. So far the great-
est variety of chemokine receptors has been observed on activated
T lymphocytes. [Adapted from M. Baggiolini, 1998, Nature 392:565.]
production of distinctive profiles of chemokines by destina-
tion tissues and sites provide rich opportunities for the dif-
ferential regulation of activities of different leukocyte popu-
lations. Indeed, differences in patterns of chemokine-receptor
expression occur within leukocyte populations as well as be-
tween different ones. Recall that T
H
1 and T
H
2 subsets of T
H
cells can be distinguished by their different patterns of cyto-
kine production. These subsets also display different profiles
of chemokine receptors. T
H
2 cells express CCR3 and -4, and
a number of other receptors not expressed by T
H
1 cells. On
the other hand, T
H
1 cells express CCR1, -3, and -5, but most
T
H
2 cells do not.
Other Mediators of Inflammation
In addition to chemokines, a variety of other mediators
released by cells of the innate and acquired immune sys-
tems trigger or enhance specific aspects of the inflammatory
response. They are released by tissue mast cells, blood
platelets, and a variety of leukocytes, including neutrophils,
monocytes/macrophages, eosinophils, basophils, and lym-
phocytes. In addition to these sources, plasma contains four
interconnected mediator-producing systems: the kinin sys-
tem, the clotting system, the fibrinolytic system, and the
complement system. The first three systems share a common
intermediate, Hageman factor, as illustrated in Figure 15-10.
When tissue damage occurs, these four systems are activated
to form a web of interacting systems that generate a number
of mediators of inflammation.
The Kinin System Is Activated
by Tissue Injury
The kinin system is an enzymatic cascade that begins when a
plasma clotting factor, called Hageman factor, is activated
following tissue injury. The activated Hageman factor then
activates prekallikrein to form kallikrein, which cleaves
kininogen to produce bradykinin (see Figure 15-10). This
inflammatory mediator is a potent basic peptide that in-
creases vascular permeability, causes vasodilation, induces
pain, and induces contraction of smooth muscle. Kallikrein
also acts directly on the complement system by cleaving C5
into C5a and C5b. The C5a complement component is an
anaphylatoxin that induces mast-cell degranulation, result-
ing in the release of a number of inflammatory mediators
from the mast cell.
The Clotting System Yields Fibrin-Generated
Mediators of Inflammation
Another enzymatic cascade that is triggered by damage to
blood vessels yields large quantities of thrombin. Thrombin
acts on soluble fibrinogen in tissue fluid or plasma to pro-
duce insoluble strands of fibrin and fibrinopeptides. The
insoluble fibrin strands crisscross one another to form a clot,
which serves as a barrier to the spread of infection. The clot-
ting system is triggered very rapidly after tissue injury to pre-
vent bleeding and limit the spread of invading pathogens
into the bloodstream. The fibrinopeptides act as inflamma-
tory mediators, inducing increased vascular permeability
and neutrophil chemotaxis.
The Fibrinolytic System Yields Plasmin-
Generated Mediators of Inflammation
Removal of the fibrin clot from the injured tissue is achieved
by the fibrinolytic system. The end product of this pathway
is the enzyme plasmin, which is formed by the conversion of
plasminogen. Plasmin, a potent proteolytic enzyme, breaks
down fibrin clots into degradation products that are chemo-
tactic for neutrophils. Plasmin also contributes to the in-
flammatory response by activating the classical complement
pathway.
The Complement System Produces
Anaphylatoxins
Activation of the complement system by both classical and
alternative pathways results in the formation of a number of
348 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
Bradykinin
Kallikrein
Kininogen
Prekallikrein
Activated
fibrinolytic
system
Plasmin
Activation of
Hageman factor
Fibrinopeptides
+ fibrin clot
Fibrin degradation
Thrombin
Endothelial damage
Activated
clotting
cascade
↑ Vascular permeability
Vasodilation
Pain
Smooth-muscle
contraction
↑Vascular
permeability
Neutrophil
chemotaxis
Complement
activation
FIGURE 15-10 Tissue damage induces formation of plasma en-
zyme mediators by the kinin system, the clotting system, and the fib-
rinolytic system. These mediators cause vascular changes, among
the earliest signs of inflammation, and various other effects. Plasmin
not only degrades fibrin clots but also activates the classical comple-
ment pathway.
complement split products that serve as important media-
tors of inflammation (see Chapter 13). Binding of the ana-
phylatoxins (C3a, C4a, and C5a) to receptors on the mem-
brane of tissue mast cells induces degranulation with release
of histamine and other pharmacologically active mediators.
These mediators induce smooth-muscle contraction and
increase vascular permeability. C3a, C5a, and C5b67 act
together to induce monocytes and neutrophils to adhere to
vascular endothelial cells, extravasate through the endothe-
lial lining of the capillary, and migrate toward the site of
complement activation in the tissues. Activation of the com-
plement system thus results in influxes of fluid that carry
antibody and phagocytic cells to the site of antigen entry.
Some Lipids Act as Inflammatory
Mediators
Following membrane perturbations, phospholipids in the
membrane of several cell types (e.g., macrophages, monocytes,
neutrophils, and mast cells) are degraded into arachidonic
acid and lyso–platelet-activating factor (Figure 15-11). The
latter is subsequently converted into platelet-activating factor
(PAF), which causes platelet activation and has many inflam-
matory effects, including eosinophil chemotaxis and the acti-
vation and degranulation of neutrophils and eosinophils.
Metabolism of arachidonic acid by the cyclooxygenase
pathway produces prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Dif-
ferent prostaglandins are produced by different cells: mono-
cytes and macrophages produce large quantities of PGE2 and
PGF2; neutrophils produce moderate amounts of PGE2; mast
cells produce PGD2. Prostaglandins have diverse physiological
effects, including increased vascular permeability, increased
vascular dilation, and induction of neutrophil chemotaxis.
The thromboxanes cause platelet aggregation and constriction
of blood vessels.
Arachidonic acid is also metabolized by the lipoxygenase
pathway to yield the four leukotrienes: LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, and
LTE4. Three of these (LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4) together make
up what was formerly called slow-reacting substance of ana-
phylaxis (SRS-A); these mediators induce smooth-muscle
contraction. LTB4 is a potent chemoattractant of neutrophils.
The leukotrienes are produced by a variety of cells, including
monocytes, macrophages, and mast cells.
Some Cytokines Are Important
Inflammatory Mediators
A number of cytokines play a significant role in the develop-
ment of an acute or chronic inflammatory response. IL-1,
IL-6, TNF-H9251, IL-12, and many chemokines exhibit redundant
and pleiotropic effects that together contribute to the inflam-
matory response. Some of the effects mediated by IL-1, IL-6,
and TNF-H9251 are listed in Table 15-3. In addition, IFN-H9253 con-
tributes to the inflammatory response, acting later in the acute
response and contributing in a major way to chronic inflam-
mation by attracting and activating macrophages. IL-12 in-
duces the differentiation of the proinflammatory T
H
1 subset.
The role of several of these inflammatory cytokines in the
development of acute and chronic inflammation will be
described more fully in the next section.
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 349
Arachidonic
acid
Prostaglandin
G2
Leukotriene A4
Lipoxygenase pathwayCyclooxygenase pathways
Lyso-PAF
Membrane phospholipids
Phospholipase
Thromboxane Prostaglandins Leukotrienes
C4, D4, E4
Leukotriene
B4
PAF
↑ Vascular permeability
Vascular dilation
Neutrophil chemotaxis
Other effects
Vasoconstriction
Platelet aggregation
Other effects
SRS-A
Bronchial smooth-
muscle contraction
Neutrophil
chemotaxis
Platelet aggregation
Eosinophil chemotaxis
Neutrophil activation
FIGURE 15-11 The breakdown of membrane phospholipids generates important mediators of
inflammation, including thromboxane, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and platelet-activating factor (PAF).
The Inflammatory Process
Inflammation is a physiologic response to a variety of stimuli
such as infections and tissue injury. In general, an acute
inflammatory response has a rapid onset and lasts a short
while. Acute inflammation is generally accompanied by a sys-
temic reaction known as the acute-phase response, which is
characterized by a rapid alteration in the levels of several
plasma proteins. In some diseases persistent immune activa-
tion can result in chronic inflammation, which often has
pathologic consequences.
Neutrophils Play an Early and Important
Role in Inflammation
In the early stages of an inflammatory response, the predom-
inant cell type infiltrating the tissue is the neutrophil. Neu-
trophil infiltration into the tissue peaks within the first 6 h of
an inflammatory response, with production of neutrophils
in the bone marrow increasing to meet this need. A normal
adult produces more than 10
10
neutrophils per day, but dur-
ing a period of acute inflammation, neutrophil production
may increase as much as tenfold.
The neutrophils leave the bone marrow and circulate
within the blood. In response to mediators of acute inflam-
mation, vascular endothelial cells increase their expression of
E- and P-selectin. Thrombin and histamine induce increased
expression of P-selectin; cytokines such as IL-1 or TNF-H9251
induce increased expression of E-selectin. The circulating
neutrophils express mucins such as PSGL-1 or the tetrasac-
charides sialyl Lewis
a
and sialyl Lewis
x
, which bind to E- and
P-selectin.
As described earlier, this binding mediates the attachment
or tethering of neutrophils to the vascular endothelium,
allowing the cells to roll in the direction of the blood flow.
During this time, chemokines such as IL-8 or other chemoat-
tractants act upon the neutrophils, triggering a G-protein–
mediated activating signal that leads to a conformational
change in the integrin adhesion molecules, resulting in neu-
trophil adhesion and subsequent transendothelial migration
(see Figure 15-3).
Once in tissues, the activated neutrophils also express in-
creased levels of receptors for chemoattractants and conse-
quently exhibit chemotaxis, migrating up a gradient of the
chemoattractant. Among the inflammatory mediators that
are chemotactic for neutrophils are several chemokines, com-
plement split products (C3a, C5a, and C5b67), fibrinopep-
tides, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. In addition, molecules
released by microorganisms, such as formyl methionyl pep-
tides, are also chemotactic for neutrophils. Activated neu-
trophils express increased levels of Fc receptors for antibody
and receptors for complement, enabling these cells to bind
more effectively to antibody- or complement-coated patho-
gens, thus increasing phagocytosis.
The activating signal also stimulates metabolic pathways to
a respiratory burst, which produces reactive oxygen interme-
diates and reactive nitrogen intermediates (see Chapter 2).
Release of some of these reactive intermediates and the release
of mediators from neutrophil primary and secondary granules
(proteases, phospholipases, elastases, and collagenases) play an
important role in killing various pathogens. These substances
also contribute to the tissue damage that can result from an
inflammatory response. The accumulation of dead cells and
microorganisms, together with accumulated fluid and various
proteins, makes up what is known as pus.
Inflammatory Responses May Be
Localized or Systemic
Infection or tissue injury induces a complex cascade of non-
specific events, known as the inflammatory response, that
provides early protection by restricting the tissue damage to
the site of infection or tissue injury. The acute inflammatory
response involves both localized and systemic responses.
LOCALIZED INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE
The hallmarks of a localized acute inflammatory response, first
described almost 2000 years ago, are swelling (tumor), redness
(rubor), heat (calor), pain (dolor), and loss of function. Within
minutes after tissue injury, there is an increase in vascular
diameter (vasodilation), resulting in an increase in the volume
of blood in the area and a reduction in the flow of blood. The
increased blood volume heats the tissue and causes it to redden.
Vascular permeability also increases, leading to leakage of fluid
from the blood vessels, particularly at postcapillary venules.
This results in an accumulation of fluid (edema) in the tissue
and, in some instances, extravasation of leukocytes, contribut-
350 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
TABLE 15-3
Redundant and pleiotropic effects
of IL-1, TNF-H9251, and IL-6
Effect IL-1 TNF-H9251 IL-6
Endogenous pyrogen fever + + +
Synthesis of acute-phase
proteins by liver + + +
Increased vascular permeability + + +
Increased adhesion molecules
on vascular endothelium + + –
Fibroblast proliferation + + –
Platelet production + – +
Chemokine induction (e.g., IL-8) + + –
Induction of IL-6 ++–
T-cell activation + + +
B-cell activation + + +
Increased immunoglobulin
synthesis – – +
ing to the swelling and redness in the area. When fluid exudes
from the bloodstream, the kinin, clotting, and fibrinolytic sys-
tems are activated (see Figure 15-10). Many of the vascular
changes that occur early in a local response are due to the direct
effects of plasma enzyme mediators such as bradykinin and fib-
rinopeptides, which induce vasodilation and increased vascu-
lar permeability. Some of the vascular changes are due to the
indirect effects of the complement anaphylatoxins (C3a, C4a,
and C5a), which induce local mast-cell degranulation with re-
lease of histamine. Histamine is a potent mediator of inflam-
mation, causing vasodilation and smooth-muscle contraction.
The prostaglandins can also contribute to the vasodilation and
increased vascular permeability associated with the acute in-
flammatory response.
Within a few hours of the onset of these vascular changes,
neutrophils adhere to the endothelial cells, and migrate
out of the blood into the tissue spaces (Figure 15-12). These
neutrophils phagocytose invading pathogens and release
mediators that contribute to the inflammatory response.
Among the mediators are the macrophage inflammatory
proteins (MIP-1H9251 and MIP-1H9252), chemokines that attract
macrophages to the site of inflammation. Macrophages ar-
rive about 5–6 hours after an inflammatory response begins.
These macrophages are activated cells that exhibit increased
phagocytosis and increased release of mediators and cyto-
kines that contribute to the inflammatory response.
Activated tissue macrophages secrete three cytokines (IL-1,
IL-6, and TNF-H9251) that induce many of the localized and
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 351
VISUALIZING CONCEPTS
A
l
t
e
r
n
a
t
i
v
e
o
r
c
l
a
s
s
i
c
a
l
p
a
t
h
w
a
y
s
Chemota
xis
Ch
em
ot
ax
is
Mast cell
C3a, C5a
C5b67
C3a
C5a
Histamine
Prostaglandins
Leukotrienes
Prostaglandins
Leukotrienes
Fibrin
Fibrinopeptides
Bradykinin
IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α
Chemokines
Complement activation
Tissue damage
Endothelial
damage
BLOOD TISSUES
Bacteria
Plasmin
P-selectin
PSGL-1
IL-8
VAL-4
VCAM-1
Monocyte
LFA-1
ICAM-1
Lymphocyte
Neutrophil
Activated
macrophage
FIGURE 15-12 Overview of the cells and mediators involved in
a local acute inflammatory response. Tissue damage leads to the
formation of complement products that act as opsonins, anaphyla-
toxins, and chemotactic agents. Bradykinin and fibrinopeptides
induced by endothelial damage mediate vascular changes. Neu-
trophils generally are the first leukocytes to migrate into the tissue,
followed by monocytes and lymphocytes. Only some of the interac-
tions involved in the extravasation of leukocytes are depicted.
systemic changes observed in the acute inflammatory
response (see Table 15-3). All three cytokines act locally,
inducing coagulation and an increase in vascular permeabil-
ity. Both TNF-H9251 and IL-1 induce increased expression of
adhesion molecules on vascular endothelial cells. For in-
stance, TNF-H9251 stimulates expression of E-selectin, an endo-
thelial adhesion molecule that selectively binds adhesion
molecules on neutrophils. IL-1 induces increased expression
of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, which bind to integrins on lym-
phocytes and monocytes. Circulating neutrophils, mono-
cytes, and lymphocytes recognize these adhesion molecules
on the walls of blood vessels, adhere, and then move through
the vessel wall into the tissue spaces. IL-1 and TNF-H9251 also act
on macrophages and endothelial cells to induce production
of the chemokines that contribute to the influx of neutro-
phils by increasing their adhesion to vascular endothelial
cells and by acting as potent chemotactic factors. In addition,
IFN-H9253 and TNF-H9251 activate macrophages and neutrophils,
promoting increased phagocytic activity and increased re-
lease of lytic enzymes into the tissue spaces.
A local acute inflammatory response can occur without
the overt involvement of the immune system. Often, how-
ever, cytokines released at the site of inflammation facilitate
both the adherence of immune-system cells to vascular en-
dothelial cells and their migration through the vessel wall
into the tissue spaces. The result is an influx of lymphocytes,
neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and mast
cells to the site of tissue damage, where these cells participate
in clearance of the antigen and healing of the tissue.
The duration and intensity of the local acute inflamma-
tory response must be carefully regulated to control tissue
damage and facilitate the tissue-repair mechanisms that are
necessary for healing. TGF-H9252 has been shown to play an im-
portant role in limiting the inflammatory response. It also
promotes accumulation and proliferation of fibroblasts and
the deposition of an extracellular matrix that is required for
proper tissue repair.
Clearly, the processes of leukocyte adhesion are of great im-
portance in the inflammatory response. A failure of proper
leukocyte adhesion can result in disease, as exemplified by
leukocyte-adhesion deficiency (see Clinical Focus on page 358).
SYSTEMIC ACUTE-PHASE RESPONSE
The local inflammatory response is accompanied by a sys-
temic response known as the acute-phase response (Figure
15-13). This response is marked by the induction of fever,
increased synthesis of hormones such as ACTH and hydro-
cortisone, increased production of white blood cells (leuko-
cytosis), and production of a large number of acute-phase
proteins in the liver. The increase in body temperature
inhibits the growth of a number of pathogens and appears to
enhance the immune response to the pathogen.
C-reactive protein is a prototype acute-phase protein
whose serum level increases 1000-fold during an acute-phase
response. It is composed of five identical polypeptides held
together by noncovalent interactions. C-reactive protein
binds to a wide variety of microorganisms and activates com-
plement, resulting in deposition of the opsonin C3b on the
surface of microorganisms. Phagocytic cells, which express
C3b receptors, can then readily phagocytose the C3b-coated
microorganisms.
Many systemic acute-phase effects are due to the com-
bined action of IL-1, TNF-H9251 and IL-6 (see Figure 15-13).
Each of these cytokines acts on the hypothalamus to induce a
fever response. Within 12–24 h of the onset of an acute-phase
inflammatory response, increased levels of IL-1, TNF-H9251 and
IL-6 (as well as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and onco-
statin M (OSM)) induce production of acute-phase proteins
by hepatocytes. TNF-H9251 also acts on vascular endothelial cells
and macrophages to induce secretion of colony-stimulating
factors (M-CSF, G-CSF, and GM-CSF). These CSFs stimulate
hematopoiesis, resulting in transient increases in the number
of white blood cells needed to fight the infection.
The redundancy in the ability of at least five cytokines
(TNF-H9251, IL-1, IL-6, LIF, and OSM) to induce production of
acute-phase proteins by the liver results from the induction
of a common transcription factor, NF-IL6, after each of these
cytokines interacts with its receptor. Amino-acid sequencing
of cloned NF-IL6 revealed that it has a high degree of
sequence identity with C/EBP, a liver-specific transcription
factor (Figure 15-14a). Both NF-IL6 and C/EBP contain a
leucine-zipper domain and a basic DNA-binding domain,
and both proteins bind to the same nucleotide sequence in
the promoter or enhancer of the genes encoding various liver
proteins. C/EBP, which stimulates production of albumin
and transthyretin, is expressed constitutively by hepatocytes.
As an inflammatory response develops and the cytokines
interact with their respective receptors on liver hepatocytes,
expression of NF-IL6 increases and that of C/EBP decreases
(Figure 15-14b). The inverse relationship between these two
transcription factors accounts for the observation that serum
levels of proteins such as albumin and transthyretin decline
while those of acute-phase proteins increase during an in-
flammatory response.
Chronic Inflammation Develops
When Antigen Persists
Some microorganisms are able to evade clearance by the
immune system, for example by possessing cell-wall compo-
nents that enable them to resist phagocytosis. Such organ-
isms often induce a chronic inflammatory response, result-
ing in significant tissue damage. Chronic inflammation also
occurs in a number of autoimmune diseases in which self-
antigens continually activate T cells. Finally, chronic inflam-
mation also contributes to the tissue damage and wasting
associated with many types of cancer.
The accumulation and activation of macrophages is the
hallmark of chronic inflammation. Cytokines released by the
352 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
chronically activated macrophages also stimulate fibroblast
proliferation and collagen production. A type of scar tissue
develops at sites of chronic inflammation by a process called
fibrosis, a wound-healing reaction that can interfere with nor-
mal tissue function. Chronic inflammation may also lead to
formation of a granuloma, a tumor-like mass consisting of a
central area of activated macrophages surrounded by activated
lymphocytes. The center of the granuloma often contains
multinucleated giant cells formed by the fusion of activated
macrophages. These giant cells typically are surrounded by
large modified macrophages that resemble epithelial cells and
therefore are called epithelioid cells.
Roles of IFN-H9253 and TNF-H9251 in Chronic
Inflammation
Two cytokines in particular, IFN-H9253 and TNF-H9251, play a central
role in the development of chronic inflammation. T
H
1 cells,
NK cells, and T
C
cells release IFN-H9253, while activated macro-
phages secrete TNF-H9251.
Members of the interferon family of glycoproteins (IFN-H9251
and IFN-H9252) are released from virus-infected cells and confer
antiviral protection on neighboring cells. Exactly which inter-
feron is produced depends on the type of cell infected. IFN-H9251
is produced by leukocytes, IFN-H9252, often called fibroblast
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 353
VISUALIZING CONCEPTS
Prostaglandins
Acute-phase proteins:
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Serum amyloid A (SAA)
Fibrinogen
Mannose-binding protein
Complement components
Fever
Bone marrow
( CSF by
stromal cells and
macrophages)
Leukocytosis
( white blood cells)
ACTH
(via pituitary)
Local acute
inflammatory response
Corticosteroids
IL-1, TNF-α
I
L
-
6
,
T
N
F
-
α
IL-6, LIF, OSM
IL-1, TN
F-
α
, Il-6
Liver
Hypothalamus
Adrenal cortex
FIGURE 15-13 Overview of the organs and mediators involved
in a systemic acute-phase response. IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-H9251, which
are produced by activated macrophages at the site of inflamma-
tion, are particularly important in mediating acute-phase effects.
LIF = leukemia inhibitory factor; OSM = oncostatin M.
interferon, is made largely by fibroblasts. IFN-H9253 is produced
exclusively by T cells and NK cells. However, IFN-H9253 has a
number of pleiotropic activities that distinguish it from IFN-H9251
and IFN-H9252 and contribute to the inflammatory response (Fig-
ure 15-15). One of the most striking effects of IFN-H9253 is its abil-
ity to activate macrophages. Activated macrophages exhibit
increased expression of class II MHC molecules, increased
cytokine production, and increased microbicidal activity com-
pared with nonactivated macrophages; thus, they are more
effective in antigen presentation and killing of intracellular
microbial pathogens. In a chronic inflammatory response,
however, the large numbers of activated macrophages release
various hydrolytic enzymes and reactive oxygen and nitrogen
intermediates, which are responsible for much of the damage to
surrounding tissue.
One of the principal cytokines secreted by activated macro-
phages is TNF-H9251. The activity of this cytokine was first ob-
served around the turn of the century by the surgeon William
Coley. He noted that when cancer patients developed certain
bacterial infections, the tumors would become necrotic. In the
hope of providing a cure for cancer, Coley began to inject can-
cer patients with supernatants derived from various bacterial
cultures. These culture supernatants, called “Coley’s toxins,”
did induce hemorrhagic necrosis in the tumors but had nu-
merous undesirable side effects, making them unsuitable for
cancer therapy. Decades later, the active component of Coley’s
toxin was shown to be a lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) com-
ponent of the bacterial cell wall. This endotoxin does not itself
induce tumor necrosis but instead induces macrophages to
produce TNF-H9251. This cytokine has a direct cytotoxic effect on
tumor cells but not on normal cells (Figure 15-16a). Potential
immunotherapeutic approaches using TNF-H9251 for the treat-
ment of cancer are examined in Chapter 22.
Several lines of evidence indicate that TNF-H9251 also contri-
butes to much of the tissue wasting that characterizes chronic
inflammation. For example, mice carrying a TNF-H9251 trans-
gene become severely wasted (Figure 15-16b). In studies by
A. Cerami and coworkers, rabbits were found to lose nearly
half of their body mass within 2 months of being infected
with trypanosomes. These workers subsequently discovered
that a macrophage-derived factor was responsible for the
profound wasting; they called the factor cachetin. Cloning of
the genes for TNF-H9251 and cachetin revealed that they were the
same protein.
Activation of macrophages by IFN-H9251 promotes increased
transcription of the TNF-H9251 gene and increases the stability of
TNF-H9251 mRNA. Both effects result in increased TNF-H9251 pro-
duction. TNF-H9251 acts synergistically with IFN-H9253 to initiate a
chronic inflammatory response. Both cytokines together in-
duce much greater increases in ICAM-1, E-selectin, and class I
MHC molecules than either cytokine alone. The increase in
intercellular adhesion molecules facilitates the recruitment of
large numbers of cells in a chronic inflammatory response.
CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASES
Recent studies suggest that regions of plump endothelial cells
resembling HEVs appear along the vasculature in tertiary
extralymphoid sites of chronic infection. These HEV-like re-
gions, which appear to be sites of lymphocyte extravasa-
tion into the inflamed tissue, express several mucins (e.g., Gly-
CAM-1, MAdCAM-1, and CD34) that are often displayed on
normal HEVs. Several cytokines, notably IFN-H9253 and TNF-H9251,
that are associated with chronic inflammation may play a role
in the induction of HEV-like regions along the vasculature.
These HEV-like regions have been observed in a number
of chronic inflammatory diseases in humans, including
354 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
(a)
HOOC COOH
L L
L L
L L
L L
L L
NH
2
HOOC COOH
L L
L L
L L
L L
L L
NH
2
H
2
NH
2
N
DNA DNA
C/EPB NF-IL6
(b)
↑C/EPB
↑ Albumin
↓C/EPB ↑NF-IL6
↑ Transthyretin
Cytokine
↓ Albumin
↓ Transthyretin
↑ C-reactive protein
↑ Serum amyloid A
↑ Fibrinogen
Liver
hepatocytes
FIGURE 15-14 Comparison of the structure and function of C/EBP
and NF-IL6. (a) Both transcription factors are dimeric proteins con-
taining a leucine-zipper domain (light orange) and a basic DNA-
binding domain (blue). (b) C/EBP is expressed constitutively in liver
hepatocytes and promotes transcription of albumin and transthyretin
genes. During an inflammatory response, binding of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-H9251,
LIF, or OSM to receptors on liver hepatocytes induces production of
NF-IL6, which promotes transcription of the genes encoding various
acute-phase proteins. Concurrently, C/EBP levels decrease and the lev-
els of albumin and transthyretin consequently decrease.
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 355
↓
Proliferation
↓
Production of
IL-4 and IL-5
↑
Expression of
class II MHC
molecules
↑
Microbicidal
activity
↑
Cytotoxic
activity
↑
Differentiation
↑
Antibody
production
(
↑
IgG2a;
↓
IgE
and IgG1)
CD4
+
T
H
2 cell B cellMacrophage
↑
Expression of
class II MHC
molecules
Dendritic cell NK cell
NK cell
CD4
+
T
H
1 cell CD8
+
T
C
cell
Interferon
gamma (IFN-γ)
FIGURE 15-15 Summary of pleiotropic activity of interferon gamma
(IFN-H9253). The activation of macrophages induced by IFN-H9253 plays a criti-
cal role in chronic inflammation. This cytokine is secreted by T
H
1 cells,
NK cells, and T
C
cells and acts on numerous cell types. [Adapted from
Research News, 1993, Science 259:1693.]
(a) Treated Untreated
Necrotic
tumor
Growing
tumor
(b)
FIGURE 15-16 Biological activities of TNF-H9251. (a) A cancerous tu-
mor in a mouse injected with endotoxin (left) shows hemorrhagic
necrosis, unlike a tumor in an untreated mouse (right). Endotoxin in-
duces the production of TNF-H9251, which then acts to destroy the tumor.
(b) Transgenic mouse (top) bearing a TNF-H9251 transgene becomes
anorectic and severely wasted. Normal mouse is shown on the bot-
tom. [Part (a) from L. J. Old, 1988, Sci. Am. 258:59; part (b) from
B. Beutler, 1993, Hosp. Prac. (April 15):45.]
rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis,
Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and diabetes mellitus
(Table 15-4). Development of this HEV-like vasculature is
likely to facilitate a large-scale influx of leukocytes, contribut-
ing to chronic inflammation. These observations suggest that
an effective approach for treating chronic inflammatory dis-
eases may be to try to control the development of these HEV-
like regions.
356 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
Once in, they are guided by gradients of
chemoattractants to the sites of the
inflammatory responses and become
participants in the process. The key play-
ers in the adhesive interactions that are
central to adhesion and extravasation are
heterodimeric integrin molecules on the
surface of the migrating leukocytes.
There are a number of integrins, among
which are LFA-1 (composed of CD11a
and CD18); Mac-1, also called CR3 (com-
ponents: CD11b and CD18); and p150/
95 or CR4 (components: CD11c and
CD18). When leukocytes encounter the
appropriate chemokine or other chemo-
attractant, their complement of mem-
brane integrin molecules undergoes a
conformational change that transforms
them from a slightly adhesive to a highly
adhesive state.
In 1979, a paper entitled “Delayed sep-
aration of the umbilical cord, widespread
infections, and defective neutrophil mo-
bility” appeared in Lancet, a British med-
ical journal. This was the first in a series
of reports that have appeared over the
years describing patients afflicted with
a rare autosomal recessive disease in
which the first indication is quite often
omphalitis, a swelling and reddening
around the stalk of the umbilical cord.
Although no more susceptible to virus
infections than normal controls, those
afflicted with this disorder suffer recur-
rent and often chronic bacterial infec-
tions, and sites where one would expect
to find pus are instead pus-free. This ob-
servation is particularly striking because
the patients are not deficient in granulo-
cytes; in fact, they typically have greatly el-
evated numbers of granulocytes in the
circulation. Detailed immunological work-
ups of these patients showed that Ig
levels were in the normal range and that
they had nearly normal B-, T-, and NK-cell
function. However, examination of leuko-
cyte migration in response to tissue dam-
age revealed the root cause of the disease
in these patients.
One method of evaluating leukocyte
migration involves gently scraping the
The immune system uses in-
flammation to assemble the components
of an effective response and focus these
resources at the site of infection.
Inflammation is complex, involving
vasodilation, increased vascular perme-
ability, exudation of plasma proteins,
and a gathering of inflammatory cells.
Chemoattractants are key elements in
calling leukocytes to sites of inflamma-
tion. These include chemokines such as
IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein
1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory
protein 1 (MIP-1) and peptide fragments,
such as C5a, generated during comple-
ment fixation. Chemoattractants signal
passing leukocytes to adhere tightly to
the vascular surface, and, using adhesive
interactions for traction, these cells push
their way between endothelial cells and
gain entry into the surrounding tissue.
CLINICAL FOCUS
Leukocyte-Adhesion Deficiency
(LAD) in Humans and Cattle
TABLE 15-4 Chronic inflammatory diseases associated with HEV-like vasculature
Plump Mucin-like CAMs
Disease Affected organ endothelium on endothelium*
Crohn’s disease Gut + +
Diabetes mellitus Pancreas + +
Graves’ disease Thyroid + +
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis Thyroid + +
Rheumatoid arthritis Synovium + +
Ulcerative colitis Gut + +
*Includes GlyCAM-1, MAdCAM-1, and CD34.
SOURCE: Adapted from J. P. Girard and T. A. Springer, 1995, Immunol. Today 16:449.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Although development of an effective inflammatory re-
sponse can play an important role in the body’s defense, the
response can sometimes be detrimental. Allergies, autoim-
mune diseases, microbial infections, transplants, and burns
may initiate a chronic inflammatory response. Various thera-
peutic approaches are available for reducing long-term in-
flammatory responses and thus the complications associated
with them.
Antibody Therapies Reduce Leukocyte
Extravasation
Because leukocyte extravasation is an integral part of the
inflammatory response, one approach for reducing inflam-
mation is to impede this process. Theoretically, one way to
reduce leukocyte extravasation is to block the activity of var-
ious adhesion molecules with antibodies. In animal models,
for example, antibodies to the integrin LFA-1 have been used
to reduce neutrophil buildup in inflammatory tissue. Anti-
bodies to ICAM-1 have also been used, with some success, in
preventing the tissue necrosis associated with burns and in
reducing the likelihood of kidney-graft rejection in animal
models. The results with antibodies specific for these ad-
hesins have been so encouraging that a combination of anti-
bodies (anti-ICAM-1 and anti-LFA-1) was used in clinical
trials on human kidney-transplant patients. A combination
of two anti-adhesins had to be used because failure to block
both LFA-1 and ICAM-1 results in rejection.
Corticosteroids Are Powerful
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
The corticosteroids, which are cholesterol derivatives, include
prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone. These po-
tent anti-inflammatory agents exert various effects that result
in a reduction in the numbers and activity of immune-system
cells. They are regularly used in anti-inflammatory therapy.
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 357
has been named leukocyte-adhesion de-
ficiency (LAD).
Bacterial infections in these patients
can be treated with antibiotics, but they
recur. Furthermore, there are antibiotic-
resistant strains of many pathogenic bac-
teria, and LAD patients must live under
this microbial Sword of Damocles, never
knowing when the life-saving thread of an-
tibiotics will fail. If a suitable bone-marrow
donor can be found (almost always a close
relative), however, there is a curative strat-
egy. The LAD patient’s hematopoietic sys-
tem is destroyed, perhaps by treatment
with cytotoxic chemicals, and then bone-
marrow transplantation is performed. If
successful, this procedure provides the pa-
tient with leukocytes that have normal lev-
els of functional integrin and display the
full range of migratory capacities.
This disease is not limited to humans.
A strikingly similar version known as bo-
vine leukocyte adhesion disease (BLAD)
occurs in cattle. The cause of BLAD in
these animals is identical to the cause of
LAD in human patients—the lack of a
functional integrin subunit. What is dif-
ferent in some dairy herds is the inci-
dence of the disease; though rare in
humans, it can occur at economically im-
portant frequencies in cattle. This is a
consequence of the high degree of in-
breeding that exists in populations of
dairy cattle. Typically, dairy herds are sired
by the artificial insemination of semen
from very few bulls. As a consequence
of this practice, by the 1980s, almost 1 in
20 dairy bulls could be traced back to a
single Holstein bull who happened to be
heterozygous for BLAD. Such a high fre-
quency of this recessive trait in the sire
population dramatically raised the fre-
quency of this disease in dairy herds. Dur-
ing the early 1990s, in some countries,
the incidence of the BLAD gene was as
high as 10% in a number of dairy herds.
The gene for bovine CD18 has been
cloned, which has allowed the design of a
PCR-based assay for the aberrant forms
of this gene. It is now possible to rou-
tinely screen sires and recipients for the
BLAD allele. As a result, bulls that are car-
riers of the BLAD gene have been identi-
fied and eliminated from the breeding
pool. This has led to a dramatic reduction
in the frequency of new BLAD cases as
well as in the overall frequency of the
BLAD allele in dairy-herd populations.
skin from a small area of the arm; the cell
populations that move into the abraded
area are then sampled by capturing
some of those cells on a glass coverslip
placed onto the wounded skin. A series
of glass coverslips is sequentially placed,
incubated, and removed over a period
of several hours. Typically, each coverslip
is left in place for two hours, and the pro-
cedure is repeated four times over an
eight-hour period. Examination of the
coverslips under a microscope reveals
whether leukocytes have adhered to
the coverslips. In normal individuals, the
response of the immune system to tis-
sue injury is to deliver leukocytes to the
damaged area, and one finds these cells
on the coverslips. However, in the pa-
tients described here, the coverslips
were largely negative for leukocytes. Ex-
amination of white blood cells in these
patients revealed an absence of CD18,
an essential component of a number of
integrins. A key element in the migration
of leukocytes is integrin-mediated cell
adhesion, and these patients suffer from
an inability of their leukocytes to undergo
adhesion-dependent migration into sites
of inflammation. Hence, this syndrome
Corticosteroid treatment causes a decrease in the number
of circulating lymphocytes as the result either of steroid-
induced lysis of lymphocytes (lympholysis) or of alterations
in lymphocyte-circulation patterns. Some species (e.g., ham-
ster, mouse, rat, and rabbit) are particularly sensitive to
corticosteroid-induced lympholysis. In these animals, corti-
costeroid treatment at dosages as low as 10
–7
M causes such
widespread lympholysis that the weight of the thymus is
reduced by 90%; the spleen and lymph nodes also shrink
visibly. Immature thymocytes in these species appear to be
particularly sensitive to corticosteroid-mediated killing. In
rodents, corticosteroids induce programmed cell death of
immature thymocytes, whereas mature thymocytes are resis-
tant to this activity. Within 2 h following in vitro incubation
with corticosteroids, immature thymocytes begin to show
the characteristic morphology of apoptosis, and 90% of the
chromatin is degraded into the characteristic nucleosome lad-
der by 24 h after treatment. The steps involved in the induction
of apoptosis by corticosteroids remain to be determined. In
humans, guinea pigs, and monkeys, corticosteroids do not in-
duce apoptosis but instead affect lymphocyte-circulation pat-
terns, causing a decrease in thymic weight and a marked de-
crease in the number of circulating lymphocytes.
Like other steroid hormones, the corticosteroids are lipo-
philic and thus can cross the plasma membrane and bind to
receptors in the cytosol. The resulting receptor-hormone com-
plexes are transported to the nucleus, where they bind to spe-
cific regulatory DNA sequences, regulating transcription up or
down. The corticosteroids have been shown to induce in-
creased transcription of the NF-H9260B inhibitor (I-H9260B). Binding
of this inhibitor to NF-H9260B in the cytosol prevents the translo-
cation of NF-H9260B into the nucleus and consequently prevents
NF-H9260B activation of a number of genes, including genes in-
volved in T-cell activation and cytokine production.
Corticosteroids also reduce both the phagocytic and killing
ability of macrophages and neutrophils, and this effect may
contribute to their anti-inflammatory action. In addition, they
reduce chemotaxis, so that fewer inflammatory cells are at-
tracted to the site of T
H
-cell activation. In the presence of cor-
ticosteroids, expression of class II MHC molecules and IL-1
production by macrophages is dramatically reduced; such
reductions would be expected to lead to corresponding reduc-
tions in T
H
-cell activation. Finally, corticosteroids also stabilize
the lysosomal membranes of participating leukocytes, so that
decreased levels of lysosomal enzymes are released at the site of
inflammation.
NSAIDs Combat Pain and Inflammation
Since the time of Hippocrates, extracts of willow bark have
been used for relief of pain. The active ingredient, salicylate,
which is found in aspirin, is just one of many nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are the most fre-
quently used medication for treating pain and inflammation.
Clinically, NSAIDs have been shown to be effective for treat-
ment of many acute and chronic inflammatory reactions. The
major mechanism by which these drugs exert anti-inflamma-
tory effects is by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase pathway that
produces prostaglandins and thromboxanes from arachidonic
acid. The reduction in prostaglandin production limits the
increase in vascular permeability and neutrophil chemotaxis
in the inflammatory response. As shown in Figure 15-17, the
cyclooxygenase pathway is mediated by two enzymes, cyclo-
oxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-1 & Cox-2).
Although NSAIDs such as aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen,
Naproxen, and others are routinely prescribed for the treat-
ment of ailments as diverse as arthritis, sprains, tissue injury,
and back pain, the duration of their use is limited by gas-
trointestinal side effects that include unease and abdominal
pain and in more serious cases bleeding or perforation of the
stomach or upper GI tract. Investigation of the mechanism of
NSAIDs has provided a basis for the beneficial and deleteri-
ous effects of many NSAIDS. Studies have shown that,
although most NSAIDs inhibit both Cox-1 and Cox-2, it is
the inhibition of Cox-2 that is responsible for the anti-
inflammatory effects of NSAIDs. On the other hand, inhibi-
358 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms
Diverse
physical, chemical,
inflammatory,
and mitogenic
stimuli
Cox-1
mediated
Cox-2
mediated
Cox-2-specific
N SAIDS
Arachidonic
acid
Inflammation
Conventional
N SAIDS
Phospholipase A
2
? ?
?
Maintenance
of integrity of
gastrointestinal
tissue
Thromboxane
and
prostaglandins
Thromboxane
and
prostaglandins
FIGURE 15-17 Inhibition of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 by NSAIDs. A
variety of agents trigger the release of arachidonic acid from the cell
membrane by the action of phospholipase A
2
. The subsequent action
of Cox-1 and Cox-2 initiates the conversion of arachidonic acid to a
variety of lipid mediators of inflammation and many other processes.
Many NSAIDs inhibit both enzymatic pathways, but those with
greater specificity for the Cox-2 arm produce antinflammatory effects
with fewer side effects. [Adapted from G. A. FitzGerald and C. N.
Patrono, 2001, New England Journal of Medicine 345:433.]
tion of Cox-1 by thses agents causes damage to the GI tract
but does not have significant anti-inflammatory benefits.
This realization led to the design and development of a new
generation of NSAIDs that specifically inhibit Cox-2 but
have little effect on Cox-1 activity. The action of these highly
targeted drugs is shown in Figure 15-17.
SUMMARY
a73
Lymphocytes undergo constant recirculation between the
blood, lymph, lymphoid organs, and tertiary extralymphoid
tissues, increasing the chances that the small number of
lymphocytes specific for a given antigen (about 1 in 10
5
cells) will actually encounter that antigen.
a73
Migration of leukocytes into inflamed tissue or into lym-
phoid organs requires interaction between cell-adhesion
molecules (CAMs) on the vascular endothelium and those
on the circulating cells.
a73
Most CAMs fall into one of four protein families: the
selectins, the mucin-like family, integrins, or the Ig super-
family. Selectins and mucin-like CAMs interact with each
other, and members of each family are expressed on both
leukocytes and endothelial cells. Integrins, expressed on
leukocytes, interact with Ig-superfamily CAMs, expressed
on endothelial cells.
a73
Extravasation of both neutrophils and lymphocytes involves
four steps: rolling, activation, arrest and adhesion, and
transendothelial migration. Neutrophils are generally the
first cell type to move from the bloodstream into inflamma-
tory sites.
a73
Unlike neutrophils, various lymphocyte populations ex-
hibit differential extravasation into various tissues. Hom-
ing receptors on lymphocytes interact with tissue-specific
adhesion molecules, called vascular addressins, on high-
endothelial venules (HEVs) in lymphoid organs and on
the endothelium in tertiary extralymphoid tissues.
a73
Naive lymphocytes home to secondary lymphoid organs,
extravasating across HEVs, whereas effector lymphocytes
selectively home to inflamed vascular endothelium.
a73
Inflammation is a physiologic response to a variety of stimuli
such as tissue injury and infection. An acute inflammatory
response involves both localized and systemic effects. The
localized response begins when tissue and endothelial dam-
age induces formation of plasma enzyme mediators that lead
to vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.
a73
Several types of mediators play a role in the inflammatory
response. Chemokines act as chemoattractants and acti-
vating molecules during leukocyte extravasation. Plasma
enzyme mediators include bradykinin and fibrinopep-
tides, which increase vascular permeability; plasmin is a
proteolytic enzyme that degrades fibrin clots into chemo-
tactic products and activates complement; and various
complement products act as anaphylatoxins, opsonins,
and chemotactic molecules for neutrophils and mono-
cytes. Lipid inflammatory mediators include thrombox-
anes, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and platelet-activating
factor. Three cytokines, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-H9251,mediate
many of the local and systemic features of the acute
inflammatory response
a73
Activation of tissue macrophages and degranulation of mast
cells lead to release of numerous inflammatory mediators,
some of which induce the acute-phase response, which in-
cludes fever, leukocytosis, and production of corticosteroids
and acute-phase proteins.
a73
A chronic inflammatory response may accompany allergies,
autoimmune diseases, microbial infections, transplants, and
burns. Drug-based therapies employing corticosteroids
and a variety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) are the most commonly used medications for
pain and inflammation.
References
Butcher, E., and L. J. Picker. 1996. Lymphocyte homing and
homeostasis. Science 272:60.
FitzGerald, G. A., and C. Patrono. 2002. The coxibs, selective
inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2. New England Journal of Medi-
cine 345:433.
Gabay, C., and I. Kushner. 1999. Acute-phase proteins and other
systemic responses to inflammation. N.Engl.J.Med.340:448.
Kuijpers, T. W., et al. 1997. Leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1
(LAD-1)/variant. A novel immunodeficiency syndrome char-
acterized by dysfunctional beta2 integrins. Journal of Clinical
Investigation 100:1725.
Kunkel, E. J., and E. C. Butcher. 2002. Chemokines and the
tissue-specific migration of lymphocytes. Immunity 16:1.
Shuster, D. E., et al. 1992. Identification and prevalence of a
genetic defect that causes leukocyte adhesion deficiency in
Holstein cattle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
(USA) 89:9225.
Springer, T. A. 1994. Traffic signals for lymphocyte recirculation
and leukocyte emigration: the multistep paradigm. Cell 76:301.
Steel, D. M., and A. S. Whitehead. 1994. The major acute phase
reactants: C-reactive protein, serum amyloid P component
and serum amyloid A protein. Immunol. Today 15:81.
USEFUL WEB SITES
http://www.mdsystems.com
The Cytokine Mini-Reviews Section (Site Map/Reviews &
Technical Notes) of the R&D Systems site contains extensive,
Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation CHAPTER 15 359
Go to www.whfreeman.com/immunology Self-Test
Review and quiz of key terms
detailed, and well-illustrated reviews of many chemokines
and chemokine receptors.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Omim/
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man is a catalog of human
genes and genetic disorders. It contains pictures and refer-
ences on many diseases, including LAD.
Study Questions
CLINICAL FOCUS QUESTION Why does a defect in CD18 result in an
increased vulnerability to bacterial infection? Please address, as
precisely as you can, the cell biology of cell migration.
1. Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or
false. If you think a statement is false, explain why.
a. Chemokines are chemoattractants for lymphocytes but
not other leukocytes.
b. Integrins are expressed on both leukocytes and endothe-
lial cells.
c. Leukocyte extravasation involves multiple interactions
between cell-adhesion molecules.
d. Most secondary lymphoid organs contain high-endothe-
lial venules (HEVs).
e. Mucin-like CAMs interact with selectins.
f. An acute inflammatory response involves only localized
effects in the region of tissue injury or infection.
g. MAdCAM-1 is an endothelial adhesion molecule that
binds to L-selectin and to several integrins.
h. Granuloma formation is a common symptom of local
inflammation.
2. Various inflammatory mediators induce expression of ICAMs
on a wide variety of tissues. What effect might this induction
have on the localization of immune cells?
3. Extravasation of neutrophils and of lymphocytes occurs by
generally similar mechanisms, although some differences distin-
guish the two processes.
a. List in order the four basic steps in leukocyte extravasation.
b. At which sites are neutrophils most likely to extravasate?
Why?
c. Different lymphocyte subpopulations migrate preferen-
tially into different tissues, a process called homing (or
trafficking). Discuss the roles of the three types of mole-
cules that permit homing of lymphocytes.
4. Which three cytokines secreted by activated macrophages
play a major role in mediating the localized and systemic effects
associated with an acute inflammatory response?
5. An effective inflammatory response requires differentiation
and proliferation of various nonlymphoid white blood cells.
Explain how hematopoiesis in the bone marrow is induced by tis-
sue injury or local infection.
6. For each pair of molecules listed below, indicate whether the
molecules interact during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th step in neu-
trophil extravasation at an inflammatory site. Use N to indicate
any molecules that do not interact.
a. Chemokine and L-selectin
b. E-selectin and mucin-like CAM
c. IL-8 and E-selectin
d. Ig-superfamily CAM and integrin
e. ICAM and chemokine
f. Chemokine and G-protein–coupled receptor
g. ICAM and integrin
7. Discuss the main effects of IFN-H9253 and TNF-H9251 during a
chronic inflammatory response.
8. Five cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-H9251, LIF, and OSM) induce pro-
duction of C-reactive protein and other acute-phase proteins by
hepatocytes. Briefly explain how these different cytokines can
exert the same effect on hepatocytes.
9. For each inflammation-related term (a–h), select the descrip-
tions listed below (1–11) that apply. Each description may be
used once, more than once, or not at all; more than one descrip-
tion may apply to some terms.
Terms
a. Tertiary extralymphoid tissue
b. P- and E-selectin
c. Prostaglandins
d. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
e. ICAM-1, -2, -3
f. MAdCAM
g. Bradykinin
h. Inflamed endothelium
Descriptions
(1) Bind to sialylated carbohydrate moieties
(2) Inhibit cyclooxygenase pathway
(3) Induce expression of NF-H9260B inhibitor
(4) Has both Ig domains and mucin-like domains
(5) Region of vascular endothelium found in postcapillary
venules
(6) Expressed by inflamed endothelium
(7) Exhibits HEV-like vasculature in chronic inflammation
(8) Belong to Ig-superfamily of CAMs
(9) Exhibits increased expression of CAMs
(10) Increase vascular permeability and induce fever
(11) Induce fever
360 PART III Immune Effector Mechanisms