Abstract
Activation-induced cell death resulting in peripheral deletion of CD8+ T cells is associated with the accumulation of large numbers of apoptotic T cells in the liver. The hypothesis that this accumulation results from the intrahepatic trapping of T cells from the circulating pool predicts that the liver should retain T cells, which subsequently undergo apoptosis. Here we test this prediction. Perfusion of the liver with lymphocyte mixtures showed retention of activated, but neither resting nor apoptosing, T cells. This trapping was selective for CD8+ cells and was mediated primarily by ICAM-1 constitutively expressed on sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells. T cells trapped in the liver became apoptotic. The normal liver is therefore a "sink" for activated T cells.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis / immunology
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Cell Movement / immunology*
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Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
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Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
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Humans
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Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
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Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics
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Interphase / immunology
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Jurkat Cells
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Kupffer Cells / physiology
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Liver / cytology*
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Liver / immunology*
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Liver / metabolism
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Lymph Nodes / cytology
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Lymph Nodes / immunology
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Lymphocyte Activation*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
Substances
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Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
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Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1