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Different role of CD73 in leukocyte trafficking via blood and lymph vessels

Annika Ålgars1, Marika Karikoski, Gennady G Yegutkin

  • 1MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Blood
|February 25, 2011
PubMed

Insights

CD73 on lymphocytes, not lymphatic vessels, is crucial for immune cell migration to lymph nodes. This finding clarifies CD73

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • CD73 (ecto-5'-nucleotidase) regulates extracellular ATP metabolism, influencing blood vessel permeability and leukocyte traffic.
  • The distribution and function of CD73 on lymphatic vessels remain largely uncharacterized.
  • Lymphatic endothelium exhibits distinct extracellular nucleotide metabolism compared to blood vascular endothelium.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and function of CD73 on lymphatic vessels.
  • To determine the role of CD73 in lymphocyte trafficking through lymphatic systems.
  • To differentiate the roles of endothelial CD73 versus lymphocyte CD73 in immune cell migration.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of CD73 expression on afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels.
  • Comparison of ectonucleotidase activity between lymphatic and blood vascular endothelium.
  • Assessment of lymphocyte migration in CD73 knockout mice using lymphatic vessels.

Main Results:

  • CD73 is expressed on a subpopulation of afferent lymphatic vessels but absent on efferent lymphatics.
  • Lymphatic endothelium shows higher ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 activity than blood vascular endothelium.
  • CD73 deficiency in lymphocytes significantly reduces migration to draining lymph nodes (>50%), while CD73-deficient lymphatics maintain efficient trafficking.

Conclusions:

  • Endothelial CD73 is not essential for lymphocyte trafficking or permeability in lymphatic vessels.
  • Lymphocyte-expressed CD73 plays a critical role in lymphocyte migration via afferent lymphatic vessels.
  • These findings highlight distinct roles for CD73 in blood versus lymphatic vascular systems.

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